Uber says 83% expect higher fares under Hong Kong cap

Around 86% also expected peak-hour and rainy-day bookings to become harder.

Uber urged the Hong Kong government to review its proposed 10,000-permit cap for ride-hailing services, noting that 89% of drivers said it was insufficient. 

The company released findings from rider and driver surveys conducted in May 2026.

The rider survey gathered responses from 10,009 people over six days, whilst the driver survey received 4,569 responses.

Uber noted that more than 30,000 drivers are currently active on its platform, meaning the proposed cap would reduce the available driver pool by more than two-thirds.

Riders expressed concerns about the impact on service availability and costs. 

“We have also observed deep concerns over driver-purchase commercial insurance as 70% say the proposed insurance costs would push them off ride-hailing,” Nicole Lee, head of Public Policy and Government Affairs of Uber Hong Kong.

“We encourage the Government to adopt more balanced quota arrangements, codify an effective data-based review mechanism on a quarterly basis, and prioritise active drivers with strong records — building a framework grounded and reflecting the standards of a world-class city,” Lee added.

Around 86% expected it would become harder to book rides during peak periods and rainy weather, 83% anticipated higher fares, and 80% expected longer waiting times.

The survey also found that 93% of riders supported the government reviewing and adjusting the permit cap based on platform data before the policy takes effect in August 2027. 

Another 90% said there should be a clear and transparent review mechanism based on indicators such as waiting times and booking success rates.

Amongst drivers, 74% said they were extremely concerned about the proposed quota, whilst a further 18.5% said they were very concerned. 

Many respondents said the cap could make it difficult to obtain permits and affect their livelihoods.

The survey found that 41% of drivers derive between 81% and 100% of their personal or household income from ride-hailing services. 

If the permit system is introduced, 76% said they expect to face immediate financial difficulties, whilst 23% said they could retire from the industry or become temporarily unemployed.

Both riders and drivers opposed allocating permits through a lottery system or based on vehicle ownership tenure. About 83% of drivers said a lottery system would be ineffective because it does not reflect a driver's contribution to the market.

Similarly, 83% of riders said existing active drivers with strong safety and service records should be prioritised over lottery-based allocation or vehicle ownership criteria. 

Another 86% said this approach would lead to more reliable and higher-quality ride-hailing services. 

Only 7% considered a lottery system or vehicle ownership tenure to be a reasonable basis for allocation.

The driver survey also examined the potential impact of mandatory commercial insurance. If drivers were required to purchase third-party commercial insurance costing between $10,000 and $30,000 annually, 70% said the expense would force them to leave the industry.

By contrast, 84% supported platforms continuing to provide usage-based blanket insurance coverage for ride-hailing trips, saying it would be more suitable for drivers working part-time or flexible hours.