Uber has partnered with a Hong Kong transport operator to launch its first premium service outside the United States, but local lawmakers have stressed the move is unrelated to the firm’s push for a larger licence quota under a coming regulatory regime.
The US-based company partnered with Kwoon Chung Bus to introduce Uber Elite, which offers pre-booked rides in Mercedes-Benz vehicles for up to six passengers, uniformed chauffeurs, airport meet-and-greet services and more, the firms announced on Monday.
“The feedback from many customers, especially business ones, is that they hoped to see a premium service and Uber Elite could precisely satisfy that,” said Estyn Chung, the ride-hailing platform’s general manager in Hong Kong.
Timothy Wong Cheuk-tim, executive director of Kwoon Chung Bus, said there had been a continuous increase in the demand for personalised, high-quality travel services as millions of business and leisure travellers visited Hong Kong each month.
“We’ve wanted to strengthen our business-to-customer services because our group has worked with hotels and companies more. With this, we could be in touch with customers more and enhance our services and access through the platform,” he said.
Wong said the 15 to 30 full-time drivers taking part in the new initiative were all from Kwoon Chung Bus’s limousine department, and are required to complete six hours of training and an assessment before driving premium service patrons.
