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Hong Kong to Crack Down on Illegal Ride-Hailing Following Protests by Taxi Industry

Image: Kyle Lam/HKFP

Hong Kong’s government has announced plans to crack down on unauthorized ride-hailing services, in a move welcomed by taxi industry representatives who threatened a strike last month.

The bureau’s announcement came after 17 taxi groups called off a strike last month when the government agreed to crack down on illegal rides and an operator refused to lend out a car park for the protest.

Since Uber arrived in the city about a decade ago, ride-hailing services have become a strong competitor to traditional taxis. But they are illegal in Hong Kong unless a vehicle has a hire car permit. On first conviction, offenders are liable to a HK$5,000 fine and three months in prison, and in subsequent convictions, to a HK$10,000 fine and six months in prison.

Source: Hong Kong Free Press

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Japan to Partially Lift Ban on Ride-Hailing Services from April

Image: Karolis Kavolelis via Shutterstock

The Japanese government decided Wednesday to partially lift a ban on ride-hailing services to address a nationwide shortage of taxi drivers, with the changes to come into effect in April.

The partial lifting will allow drivers with a standard license to offer taxi services using their own vehicle in areas and times when taxis are in short supply, on the condition they are under the management of a taxi company.

A full lifting of a ban on ride-hailing services such as Uber which directly connects private car owners with individuals seeking transportation, is still under discussion, with a decision to be made by June next year.

Data from ride-hailing apps and radio taxis will identify areas and times with a shortage of taxis, with customers able to request rides through the apps.

Source: Kyodo News

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Area 20 Workforce Development Board Launches Six-Month Vanpool Pilot Program

In collaboration with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and Mid West Fabricating, the pilot program aims at addressing transportation barriers to employment in Fairfield County, Ohio.

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Some City Bus Drivers Aren’t All That Impressed with Tech

Bus operators face a lot of challenges on the clock, but they say technology shouldn’t be one of them. From the reliability of newer electric buses to employee monitoring software, drivers weighed in on the demanding job.

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MTA and NJ Still Talking Settlement Terms in Congestion Pricing Lawsuit with Tolls Slated to Start in May

The third sit-down between the warring sides over the controversial $15 toll is set to take place on Jan. 5 — and comes as MTA chairman Janno Lieber says he is hopeful the agency will still be able to begin charging drivers in May.

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A Pilot Project Launched in Canada AIMINg to Turn Electric Buses into Mobile Power Plants

Energy utility BC Hydro is announcing Canada’s first vehicle-to-grid pilot project for medium and heavy-duty vehicles that will enable electricity to be pushed back to the grid from the battery of an electric vehicle.

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Government of Canada Helps More Seniors Age at Home

Projects funded under the In-Home Support Pilot Project stream will test the extent to which volunteers can be mobilized to provide local practical supports such as meals, housekeeping and transportation to help low-income and otherwise vulnerable seniors age at home.

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Ecopia AI maps Toronto, but the City Won’t Comment on Its AV Readiness

The new digital map, in development for over two years, will help facilitate the deployment of autonomous vehicles in Canada’s largest city.

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UK: Bolt Expands Southampton Ride-Hailing Service into New Forest

The decision to expand into the New Forest region stems from high demand recorded in October and November 2023, showcasing a growing reliance on Bolt’s ride-hailing services during adverse weather.

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Europe Train Travel Boosted by New London to Paris Hopefuls

The Eurostar, the company running high-speed trains from London to Paris, currently cannot process travelers fast enough through terminals or border control.

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Europe Car Sales Growth Slowing; German EV Subsidy End to Hit Profits

Western Europe’s car sales growth will slow in 2024 to less than half the pace of this year, while profits, already weakening, will also be pressured by the first tranche of net zero carbon dioxide rules forcing manufacturers to sell a proportion of EVs despite likely losses.

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Transport Strike Disrupts Commute in Metro Manila, Provinces

Commuters in various parts of the country were taken by surprise on Monday morning by a transport strike that finally disrupted their routine, after earlier such protest actions against the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) failed to gather enough support from drivers and operators.

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Singapore: Taxi Drivers Fined, Stripped of License for Overcharging Passengers at MBS, Changi Airport

LTA says it will step up enforcement efforts during the festive period.

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UAE Mega-Community Offers E-Bikes and Scooters to Residents

The first roll-out of Yalla, a new urban e-mobility offering, provides dockless electric bikes and e-scooters throughout the Aljada megaproject in Sharjah.

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New Rideshare Tech Company Looking to Disrupt DC Market, but Government Says They Are Not Regulated

Image: Empower via Technical.ly

Uber and Lyft are as universal with travel as taxis in the 20th century. But in Northern Virginia, one tech CEO is planning to disrupt the legendary disrupters.

“Empower offers cities the first chance to say no to Uber,” Josh Sear, CEO of Empower, said.

Sear said he came up with the idea for the tech company while talking to a Lyft driver several years ago.

“I asked the driver, if you got 100% percent of the fare, set your own rates, and got support services, is that something you would pay for?” he smiled.

Sear said that is the basis for his company -- a way to "empower" drivers.

Unlike Uber and Lyft, with Empower, drivers keep 100% of the fare and Sear said it benefits riders.

“First and foremost, riders are saving about 15 to 20% on average,” he said.

Empower is still in its infancy. It operates in two markets: Winston-Salem and Washington D.C. Sear said drivers using Empower have provided more than 4 million rides since 2020 in D.C.

But, its not been an easy ride.

Back in 2020, D.C.’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) put Empower on notice.

“They had decided we needed to cease operations,” Sear said.

DFHV told WUSA9, Empower has refused to register with the department. A spokesperson said that regulation allows D.C. to make sure Empower riders aren’t discriminated against, drivers are insured and that they are subject to a background check.

But Sear said drivers using Empower are already background checked, and many of them also drive for Uber and Lyft.

“That is provided by one of the largest providers of background checks in the country,” he explained.

He said the main issue is Empower is a software company. He likens how Empower operates to a food or travel reservation company.

“Just like the Health and Safety Board, the Alcohol and Beverage Commission, and fire code don’t apply to Open Table,” he explained.

Source: WUSA9

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