又中又英 | Gain Traction | 褚簡寧

　　A proposed law to allow ride-hailing services which the government has bandied about for years is finally getting traction. To bandy about something means to casually discuss it without giving it serious consideration. The expression “gain traction” used this way means to start making progress. The government has delayed a decision on this sensitive issue for too long. Many cities allow ride-hailing services such as Uber. I have said many times Hong Kong should do the same to catch up with other smart cities. I give the government full marks for finally making clear to the taxi industry the time has come to accept competition.

　　Ride-hailing services are very popular among Hong Kong people but are operating in a grey area. If something is in a grey area, it means it is unclear what rules apply. The government has so far only said the proposed law will regulate ride-hailing services without providing clear details. It did not say how many licences the government will issue for ride-hailing vehicles but made clear there will be a limit. The government’s own public opinion surveys show ride-hailing services are far more popular than taxis. The government should bear this in mind. Issuing too few licences will benefit the taxi trade but not the public.

　　A taxi union has asked the government to allow ride-hailing services such as Uber only during peak hours. The government should reject this ridiculous and impractical demand. Taxis and ride-hailing services should compete on a level playing field. The expression “level playing field” means everyone has an equal chance of succeeding. Hong Kong’s success was built on fair competition.

　　政府多年來隨口說說（bandied about），容許網約車服務的規管方案終於開始有進展（getting traction）。To bandy about something是指隨意討論一下，而沒有認真考慮。習語“gain traction”在這裏是指開始取得進展。政府在這敏感議題上遲遲不肯做決定已耽擱得太久了。許多城市都容許例如Uber的網約車服務。我已說過許多遍，香港亦應該一樣，以趕上其他智能城市。政府終於向的士業界表明，是時候要接受競爭了，我給政府滿分。

　　網約車服務很受香港人歡迎，但仍在灰色地帶（grey area）內運作。若某事在grey area內，那即是不確定可以套用哪一條規限。到目前為止政府只是說，方案會規管網約車服務，卻沒有提供具體細節。它沒有說政府會發放幾多牌照給網約車，但清晰表明會有發牌數量限制。政府自己做的公眾意見調查顯示，網約車服務遠遠比的士受歡迎，政府應該記緊這一點。發牌太少只會對的士業界而非公眾有益。

　　一個的士商會要求政府僅准許像Uber的網約車服務在繁忙時間內運作。政府應該駁回這等荒謬又不切實際的要求。的士與網約車好應在一個level playing field上競爭。習語level playing field是指一個公平競爭的環境，人人都有取勝的機會。香港的成功就是建立在公平的競爭之上。

[email protected]
Michael Chugani褚簡寧
中譯：七刻