Uber HK looks to ramp up with driver incentives

Uber Hong Kong has stepped up its collaboration with the taxi industry in the city by introducing the "Uber + Taxi, Better Together" industry investment programme, incentivising new drivers to join the taxi industry and offering taxi drivers more tips. 

Uber Hong Kong is investing HK$3.6 million in the Taxi Driving License Rebate Scheme as part of the  "Uber + Taxi, Better Together" industry investment programme. The scheme is aimed at tackling several ongoing challenges that the taxi industry has been facing as a result of the pandemic and beyond, including the succession gap due to an ageing taxi driver population which is leaving as many as 30% of taxis vacant without drivers.

The scheme hopes to help new drivers join the taxi industry and create more job opportunities. To encourage more drivers to join the industry, Uber Hong Kong collaborates with Hung Chun Driving School to offer taxi drivers a HK$1,000 rebate after enrolling in Hung Chun Driving School's taxi driving and pre-service courses, passing the written exam, and obtaining a taxi license. Drivers who register with Uber Taxi will also be eligible for an additional HK$800 upon completing five Uber Taxi trips.

“Through this collaboration, we will provide new taxi drivers with practical learning experiences, empower them with tricks of the trade and offer best practices to foster the next-generation of taxi drivers to better serve riders across Hong Kong. More importantly, this scheme will lessen the financial burden for those wanting to join the workforce and allow new taxi drivers to start generating income,” said Patrick Chang, managing director of Hung Chun Driving School.

To help its partner taxi drivers, Uber Hong Kong has introduced the double-the-tip programme available until the end of 2021. The company will match each dollar amount that a rider tips taxi drivers.

"The launch of Uber Flash in 2019, Uber Taxi in 2020, welcoming HKTaxi to Uber, and ongoing conversations with taxi owners and drivers, have provided us with a deeper understanding of the industry’s needs as well as the challenges taxi drivers face. Our team on the ground will continue to work very closely with HKTaxi to play a more integral role in Hong Kong’s next phase of growth in the smart mobility sector," said Estyn Chung, general manager of Uber Hong Kong.

Lastly, to help taxi drivers gain more control over where and when they drive, such as planning their journey prior to returning their rental vehicles at the end of their shifts, Uber Hong Kong has introduced an Area Preference feature for taxi drivers to preset their area preference to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon or the New Territories, so they get matched to riders traveling to the same area. The feature, which can be switched on for up to an hour a day, will be gradually rolled out to all Uber Taxi drivers by October.

In August, Uber Hong Kong acquired HKTaxi, in a move that will expand earnings opportunities for taxi drivers and bring greater convenience to riders. According to Uber Hong Kong, this partnership brings together HKTaxi's engineering strength and local knowledge with Uber’s global R&D capabilities and operational expertise. 

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