Lawmaker Urges Stiffer Penalties for Cross-Border Illegal Hire Cars
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Transport and Logistics Sector legislator Lam Ming-fung has called on the government to study heavier penalties for cross-border private hire vehicles operating illegally in Hong Kong. Speaking in the Legislative Council, Lam warned that these unregulated vehicles endanger passenger safety while undercutting legitimate cross-border bus operators. He also urged coordination with mainland authorities to remove advertisements soliciting illegal cross-border passenger services from online platforms.
Key Points
- Transport and Logistics Sector legislator Lam Ming-fung raised the issue as an oral question during the Legislative Council full council meeting
- The cross-border private hire vehicles operate without regulation and can charge lower fares to attract passengers due to lower operating costs
- Lam said these illegal vehicles pose safety risks to passengers and harm the interests of legitimate cross-border bus operators
- Police have recently strengthened enforcement against cross-border private hire vehicles, including conducting undercover operations
- Lam proposed two measures: studying heavier penalties to increase deterrence, and negotiating with mainland authorities to remove related advertisements from online platforms
Why It Matters
This issue highlights the ongoing challenge of regulating cross-border transport services that operate in regulatory grey areas. If adopted, stricter penalties could better protect passenger safety and ensure fair competition within the transport sector .
This issue highlights the ongoing challenge of regulating cross-border transport services that operate in regulatory grey areas. If adopted, stricter penalties could better protect passenger safety and ensure fair competition within the transport sector .