The regulatory proposal on ride-hailing services in Hong Kong would be submitted to the legislature before the end of the month, the transport minister has said, months earlier than the original plan amid calls to accelerate the process.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on Sunday that the authorities would provide more comprehensive and concrete details on regulating ride-hailing platforms, drivers, and vehicles as it strived to roll out the proposal within this month. The government’s initial deadline for introducing the proposal was the end of this year.

“The primary goal is to safeguard the safety of residents’ travel. Additionally, we hope to create a healthy and positive competitive environment to allow both taxi and ride-hailing services to coexist, complement each other, and develop orderly,” she said on a radio show.

Currently, it is illegal in Hong Kong for private vehicle drivers to accept paid customers without a hire-car permit. Despite this, ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Tada, Amap, and Didi Chuxing operate unregulated. Amap is operated by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the South China Morning Post.

Chan said that the government had drawn inspiration from ride-hailing regulations in mainland China and overseas, as well as the city’s existing regulatory regime for public transport operators.

She added that the ride-hailing platforms would need to bear significant responsibility and undergo assessment. Similarly, vehicles and drivers involved would be required to meet certain conditions and pass assessments to ensure passenger safety.