The Hong Kong government has reported a significant public response to its new licensing initiative for professional drivers. According to Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan, more than 11,000 individuals have submitted applications for the joint examination, which covers both traditional taxi services and ride-hailing operations. This figure has surpassed the government's internal projections for the program.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the city to modernize its transport sector and address the evolving demand for ride-hailing services alongside traditional taxi fleets. By creating a unified permit system, officials aim to streamline the regulatory environment for drivers operating in both sectors.

In addition to the driver permit news, Secretary Chan provided updates on a separate maritime initiative. The government is currently implementing a scheme that permits mainland Chinese yacht owners to sail their vessels into Hong Kong waters. Chan noted that participants in this maritime program have demonstrated a high success rate in the required competency tests, suggesting that the integration of these cross-border transport and leisure policies is proceeding according to the government's current timeline.