Hong Kong authorities plan to invite ride-hailing platforms to apply for operator licences as early as next month and will begin approving them in batches from the end of November, the city’s transport minister has said.
“If the application and review process goes smoothly, the first batch of platform licences is expected to be issued starting from the end of November.”
Chan added that the government would roll out a dedicated website for ride-hailing services on Friday.
Most of the legal provisions regulating the sector will take effect on August 3 this year.
After receiving their operator licences in late November, ride-hailing platforms are expected to have about nine months to meet the new regulatory requirements before they are fully enforced on August 22 next year.