Hong Kong’s transport authorities have expressed concern over illegal hire car services provided by online car-hailing platforms in the city.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau was set to meet representatives of the platforms on Friday to reiterate the need for their operations to comply with the law.

The meeting comes a day after the bureau, together with the Transport Department, had held a two-hour meeting with some 20 taxi trade representatives and Legislative Council member concerned.

In a frank exchange of views, the government took note of the trade’s views on improving service quality, regulating online car-hailing platforms, and combating the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward.

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After the meeting, the bureau received a petition letter with signatures from the taxi trade. It will carefully review the letter and maintain close communication with the trade, according to the Transport Department.

The bureau is pressing ahead at full speed with a legislative proposal to regulate online car-hailing platforms, with a view to ensuring safe and convenient point-to-point services for residents and tourists.

During Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee Chung-yan reiterated the SAR government's determination to continuously combat illegal hire car services in accordance with the law and formulate legislative proposals on the regulation of online car-hailing platforms within 2025.

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"We had candid exchanges at the meeting and we understand the taxi trade's concern regarding online car-hailing platforms and illegal hire car activities,” she said after the meeting.

The government is determined to continuously combat illegal carriage of passengers for reward activities with a view to protecting the safety and interests of the public, she added.