Transport Department Receives Eight Applications for Ride-Hailing Service Licences with Positive Response

TD receives eight applications for ride-hailing service licences with positive response

The Transport Department (TD) announced today (October 30) that the application period for ride-hailing service licences ended at noon today. A total of eight applications were received during the application period, reflecting a positive response from the industry.

An assessment committee formed by representatives from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Digital Policy Office and the TD will assess the applications received in detail. The assessment will cover ride-hailing vehicle fleet management, booking platform services, service commencement plans, service commitments, customer service, experience in operating ride-hailing platform services, financial capability and capital investment, as well as detailed plans for implementation of due diligence to ensure that vehicle owners and drivers comply with the owner-driver binding requirement, and for encouraging ride-hailing vehicle drivers on their platforms to provide more ride-hailing trips. The assessment committee will make recommendations to the Commissioner for Transport, with a view to announcing a list of qualified platforms within this year.

A spokesman for the TD said, "The Government is committed to enhancing personalised point-to-point transport services as a whole, providing passengers with more diverse travel choices that are safe, lawful and compliant with regulatory requirements, while fostering a healthy competitive environment and promoting the long-term, healthy and sustainable development of the industry. We will carefully assess each application to ensure that licensed platforms have the necessary operational and financial capabilities to provide safe, reliable and efficient ride-hailing services sustainably."

The TD will also announce details of applications for ride-hailing vehicle driving permits and vehicle permits in due course to tie in with the operation of licensed platforms.

The Transport Department. Photo source: reference image

HKICL alerts public of fraudulent websites

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) has recently noted two fraudulent websites purported to be from HKICL:

• fpshktk.sbs
• tknewfps.cc

These fraudulent websites imitate as "Buyer Online Protection" to provide services including 1) refund to buyer, 2) unauthorised online transaction reporting, and 3) online transaction support, for online transaction over FPS payment. In addition, they also trick users into providing bank name, bank account number and bank account holder's name to top up and withdraw money from their platforms' virtual wallet. Further, they direct users to a fraudster impersonating as customer service personnel.

HKICL advises that these fraudulent websites have no affiliation with HKICL, or any business of HKICL. HKICL will not directly provide FPS service to individual members of the public or contact individual members of the public proactively under usual circumstance. The genuine official website addresses of HKICL are www.hkicl.com.hk and fps.hkicl.com.hk.

HKICL urges the public to beware of suspicious calls, websites or other communications, and to remain vigilant in protecting personal information. If members of the public receive any suspicious communication purportedly from HKICL, please call HKICL's general line at 2533 1111 to verify. Members of the public who suspect that theyhave become the victim of fraudulent acts should report promptly to the Police.

Source: AI-found images