HONG KONG — Taxi drivers in Hong Kong are being urged to exercise restraint following the circulation of videos showing cabbies going undercover to hail Uber rides, only to call the police on the drivers upon reaching their destinations. The videos, which have been widely shared on social media since Thursday, depict an unconventional and controversial strategy to combat illegal ride-hailing services.
In one particularly dramatic video, a passenger instructs the Uber driver to wait after pulling over behind a police vehicle. The passenger then reveals to the driver that police officers are arriving to arrest him. In another similar clip, the passenger informs the Uber driver that authorities are on their way the moment the car stops.
Sources indicate that the passengers in these videos are members of a cabby group. This group reportedly orchestrated an undercover operation, hailing Uber rides from seven different locations and notifying the police upon arrival at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
Responding to media inquiries, the police clarified that the operation was not coordinated by them, and no arrests or court summonses were issued despite the collection of Uber drivers’ information. The Kowloon East traffic investigation team is now handling the case.
Wong Cheuk-pong, chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi Council, stated that the council was not involved in this operation. He acknowledged that some members had previously proposed such undercover tactics but noted that the council never reached a consensus. Wong expressed concerns about the admissibility of evidence collected by non-law enforcement officers in court.
Wong also called for stronger governmental support to combat illegal ride-hailing services, which he claimed have been undermining the taxi industry for the past nine years.
Meanwhile, Chau Kwok-keung, chair of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, suggested that the cabbies took matters into their own hands due to dissatisfaction with the police’s enforcement efforts. Chau appealed to the taxi drivers to exercise restraint and proposed arranging a meeting between the association, the police, and the Transport Department to address their concerns promptly.
As the debate over the legality and ethics of ride-hailing services continues, this incident underscores the growing tension between traditional taxi operators and emerging ride-hailing platforms in Hong Kong.
