EJ Insight » Hong KongToday, 15:05
Uber has reduced the fares for some of its UberX rides in Hong Kong in a bid to lure more customers for the low-cost service that was launched in the city in December last year, Singtao Daily reported.
Starting Friday, customers who are picked up in Kowloon or New Territories will need to pay 20 percent less compared to earlier, the report said, citing Kenneth She, operations Manager of Uber Hong Kong.
The starting price will be HK$7 per kilometer while the price after the minimum distance will be HK$5 per kilometer, according to the report.
In addition, the waiting charge has been cut to 60 cents per minute, from HK$1 per minute previously. The minimum waiting charge has been brought down to HK$25 from HK$30.
Starting price in Hong Kong Island remains the same at HK$10 per kilometer, and HK$6 per kilometer after that.
Based on the new pricing, a user of UberX service from Sha Tin to Mong Kok only has to pay HK$70, HK$18 less compared to earlier.
The cost will be 30 percent cheaper when compared to a regular taxi fare, which will cost around HK$100.
She claimed that business in Hong Kong has been rising steadily, and that Uber is cutting some fares only to help customers and to enable its drivers to earn more.
According to Uber, all its drivers are now required to have third-party liability insurance.
Ng Kwan-sing, president of Taxi Dealers and Owners Association, declined to comment on the latest move by Uber.
But he said the taxi industry is working to launch new services through an App, a move aimed at helping the regular taxi drivers become more competitive and gain more customers.
- Contact us at english@hkej.com
TL/JP/RC
http://www.ejinsight.com/20160318-uber-cuts-fares-by-20-pcs-for-some-hong-kong-services/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=20160318-uber-cuts-fares-by-20-pcs-for-some-hong-kong-services
