--- title: "More ride-hailing firms target Hong Kong amid licensing roll-out, Mable Chan says" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/296695865.md" description: "Hong Kong Transport Minister Mable Chan revealed that mainland and Southeast Asian ride-hailing firms are seeking market entry ahead of licensed operations. Over 7,500 applied for the new combined taxi/ride-hailing test, signaling strong interest. The government aims to foster competition and diversity, with platform license applications expected in coming months. Established players like Uber, Didi, Grab, and CaoCao are noted, while regulatory measures include data monitoring and driver exams." datetime: "2026-08-23T08:05:15.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/296695865.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296695865.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/296695865.md) generator: "portal-rs" --- # More ride-hailing firms target Hong Kong amid licensing roll-out, Mable Chan says More ride-hailing platform operators from mainland China and Southeast Asia have approached the Hong Kong government about entering the city’s market ahead of the launch of licensed operations, the transport minister has revealed. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan also said on Sunday that more than 7,500 people applied for the new combined taxi and ride-hailing vehicle written test, calling the number a “very good and positive” sign. “We hope there will be more competition and greater diversity, which will provide more choices for residents and future ride-hailing drivers,” she said on a television programme. Hong Kong officially legalised ride-hailing services earlier this year, requiring platforms, vehicles, and drivers to obtain separate licences or permits. Although the new regulatory regime took effect on August 3, the first licensed services are not expected to launch until later this year. Chan said the overseas operators included established companies that Hongkongers might have encountered while visiting the mainland or Southeast Asia, but she did not identify them or disclose how many had made contact. Uber already operates in Hong Kong, while Chinese platforms Didi and Amap also offer local booking services. Amap is owned by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the South China Morning Post. Geely-backed CaoCao Mobility, China’s second-largest ride-hailing operator, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Octopus in June aimed at operating licensed services in the city. Singapore-headquartered Grab is Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing platform, providing services in more than 900 cities across eight countries. Other major mainland operators include T3 Chuxing and Meituan’s mobility platform, but neither has an established ride-hailing presence in the city. The government hoped to invite interested companies to apply for platform licences within the next few months, Chan said. An exam for prospective ride-hailing drivers was introduced as part of the new regulatory regime, combined with the existing test for taxi drivers to create a single assessment for both services. Those who pass can take the required pre-service course before applying for relevant permits. The first batch of candidates for the combined written test would sit the examination from mid-September, she said. Applications opened on August 3. Existing taxi drivers can apply directly for a ride-hailing permit without taking the exam. Chan said the Transport Department would begin a baseline survey before the end of the third quarter to examine residents’ travel patterns and assess passenger demand. Licensed platforms will later be required to send operational data to a government monitoring system, allowing authorities to dynamically assess supply and demand. She said that platforms would be asked to explain how they plan to provide sufficient capacity, including by attracting taxis to offer bookings through their apps. Licence renewal requirements could also be designed to encourage drivers to work more regularly, Chan said. ### Related Stocks - [GRAB.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GRAB.US.md) - [UBER.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UBER.US.md) - [DIDIY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DIDIY.US.md) - [UBRL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UBRL.US.md) - [UBEW.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UBEW.US.md) - [02643.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/02643.HK.md) - [BABA.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BABA.US.md) - [09988.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/09988.HK.md) - [03690.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/03690.HK.md) - [89988.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/89988.HK.md) - [HBBD.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/HBBD.SG.md) - [GRABW.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GRABW.US.md) - [83690.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/83690.HK.md) - [MPNGY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MPNGY.US.md) - [HMTD.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/HMTD.SG.md) ## Related News & Research - [Grab (NASDAQ:GRAB) Insider Philipp Wolfgang Josef Kandal Sells 30,000 Shares of Stock](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296339144.md) - [Grab Chief Product Officer Philipp Kandal disposes of 30,000 shares for $109,182](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296268842.md) - [Uber driver says these 3 behaviors will get passengers a 1-star rating](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296682620.md) - [Chinese Ride-Hailer Didi’s International Orders Average 15 Million a Day in Second Quarter](https://longbridge.com/en/news/295904100.md) - [Waymo is eating into the ride-hailing market in some cities. The fallout for human drivers stays fuzzy.](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296015548.md) --- > **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**