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Ridesharing drivers in Hong Kong fear restrictive government regulations, with nearly 80% worried about high licensing fees or strict driver quotas that could directly threaten their ability to earn money.

This is one of the key findings in a survey of Hong Kong ridesharing drivers carried out last month by Uber. More than 4,800 drivers took the opportunity to express their views. 

Drivers Prioritize Flexibility and Fear Restrictive Regulations

More than 70 percent of respondents cited “Flexibility that suits my life” as the major reason for becoming a ridesharing driver. Many respondents highlighted that this flexible schedule enables them to care for family members, children, or the elderly, a crucial benefit not typically afforded by traditional jobs. More than half of the respondents also enjoyed being their own boss, demonstrating a key differentiator between ridesharing and conventional work, including being taxi drivers. 

Drivers are largely open to reasonable regulations that seek to enhance safety and professionalism. 60% of drivers think the most reasonable regulatory aspects are “Regular Vehicle Inspections” and “Obtain Ridesharing Driver/ Vehicle Licenses”. Almost 80% of drivers are mostly concerned over a strict quota on the number of drivers or vehicles, and high license fees that would impose undue burdens and eliminate their ability to earn a flexible income. 

 Drivers Rely on Ridesharing for Financial Stability

The survey highlights more than 30% of drivers rely on providing ridesharing services as their sole source of income, while over 60% earn more than half of their total income from ridesharing. Furthermore, over 61% of drivers stated they would be “unable to make ends meet” without ridesharing. These findings strongly indicate that ridesharing plays a crucial role as an income source for many drivers, making it essential to preserve this means for those who depend on providing ridesharing services to make a living.

The survey also uncovered a strong desire among drivers to continue in ridesharing, with a notable reluctance to switch to traditional taxi driving. Only 6.7% of drivers indicated they would “become a taxi driver” if they lost their ridesharing income, highlighting the unique advantages of the ridesharing model that is different from the taxi industry.

Ridesharing Drivers Feel Their Voices Are Not Heard

A significant majority of ridesharing drivers feel their voices have been overlooked in public discourse and policymaking compared to taxi drivers. About 33% believe their views are “not at all considered,” while 27.4% feel they have been “minimally considered.” This sentiment reflects the drivers’ desire for more inclusive discussions during the regulatory process.

“Our drivers’ message is clear: flexibility is key to over 30,000 ridesharing drivers’ livelihoods and to the ridesharing service that millions of Hong Kongers value.” said Estyn Chung, General Manager at Uber Hong Kong, “We believe a balanced regulatory framework is not just possible, but essential – one that prioritizes public needs, protects driver flexibility and financial stability, and allows both ridesharing and traditional taxis to thrive side-by-side. ”