As an American, I’ve had many encounters with Uber. In Chicago, USA, my friends and I generally preferred to take an Uber back home to the suburbs, and I can thank the service for getting me back safely in the wee small hours many times.
In the US Uber provides a cheap, convenient alternate mode of transport. But in a city like Hong Kong – where the MTR, buses, trams, ferries and even taxis are exceptionally well-priced and efficient – I haven’t seen much need for it.
It still seems to have caused a big enough stir here, however. Last month, more than 100 taxi drivers staged a “slow-drive” protest against Uber in the New Territories, while Tuesday saw the arrests of five drivers at the Hong Kong Uber offices.
The drivers were detained for “illegally driving a car for rental purpose and driving without third-party insurance”, despite the businesses previously being welcomed with open arms by the government’s InvestHK department.
With the move by Hong Kong police making headlines across the world, I thought it fit to ask those on the frontline of this debate how they feel about the news.
According to 60-year-old red cab driver Bobby*, Hongkongers are safer without Uber. “The police took action because they [Uber drivers] have no insurance… but of course I have insurance.”
As Uber drivers use private cars, they have not felt the need to purchase the expensive insurance that all standard Hong Kong taxis must have.
Compare the HKD1 million spent simply on a private car to a taxi license that costs around HKD7 million, for example, and it’s like comparing Mt. Everest to the Peak – both are mountains of sorts, but of incredibly different measurements.
It’s not just sky-high insurance that has Hong Kong taxi drivers working long, hard hours, but also the initial operating costs. Another driver, Chu, told me that he is required to pay HKD450-500 upfront every single day to rent his taxi from the owner.
“Every morning when I get into the car, I start below zero… And then add my lunch, my dinner, the traffic. The cost is too high!”
Chu must make at least HKD500 and above to take home around HKD100-200.
Based on Chu’s numbers, regular taxi drivers are potentially making 90 percent less than their Uber counterparts.
Another cabbie, Jimmy, explains, “It’s the same business, but [driving for] Uber is cheaper”.
So if it costs less and they make more money, why don’t these guys just make the switch?
Jimmy admitted that he would have joined Uber…”If it were legal.”
Chu also said, “If they solved these problems [with insurance], I think I will go with Uber…But It is not safe [for passengers] and it is too much of a risk for me.”
With that said, the men are not convinced that Uber is stealing their business. Jimmy explained that since Uber has been in Hong Kong, his income has fluctuated as usual.
What is clear, is that Hong Kong’s red cab drivers have far from an easy life. Bobby wakes up at 5am for a 12-hour shift, while Chu starts his at 6am for a similar workday.
Each driver also made mention of their car’s “lazy” air-con, the tattered seats, and how wandering pedestrians give them heart palpitations. Hong Kong’s traffic is the rotten cherry on top.
Without a university degree, like many others in the drivers’ generation, finding another job is almost out of the question, however.
But although driving cabs is not the most financially rewarding profession in the city, one driver, Joe*, insists he passionately enjoys his work. “Over 36 years, I’ve had the chance to see more of this city and meet more people than most”, he told me.
*False name used on request of the driver.
Photo via Wikimedia
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