Hong Kong's Transport Secretary Mable Chan stated that authorities will not prioritize existing ride-hailing platform drivers for vehicle permits, citing concerns about encouraging illegal activities and the challenges of identifying such drivers. During a Legislative Council subcommittee meeting, Chan also avoided committing to a timeline for reviewing the 10,000-permit cap for ride-hailing services, despite pressure from lawmakers. Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung suggested a lottery system for permit allocation, arguing that favoring current drivers would incentivize further illegal operations. Chan affirmed that it is currently illegal for private vehicles to carry paying passengers without a hire-car permit, a regulation that ride-hailing platforms often operate outside of.