Hong Kong’s Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mable Chan, confirmed on Saturday that two to three ride-hailing firms have already reached out regarding the government’s new licensing process. This development comes just one day after officials officially opened the application window for online ride-hailing platforms.

The government has established a set of nine requirements that companies must satisfy to obtain a license. While the specific details of these requirements were not fully elaborated upon in the initial announcement, Secretary Chan expressed confidence that prospective operators are capable of meeting the criteria set forth by the Transport and Logistics Bureau. The move represents a significant step in the government's effort to formalize and regulate the ride-hailing sector, which has historically operated in a complex legal environment within the city.

While the government is moving forward with the application process, the identity of the firms expressing interest has not been publicly disclosed. The administration’s focus remains on ensuring that these platforms adhere to the newly established regulatory standards to ensure service quality and public safety. The government has indicated that it is prepared to review applications as they arrive, signaling a push to integrate these services into the city's broader transportation network.