又中又英 | Gain Traction | 褚简宁

　　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.

　　政府多年来随口说说（bandied about），容许网约车服务的规管方案终于开始有进展（getting traction）。To bandy about something是指随意讨论一下，而没有认真考虑。习语“gain traction”在这里是指开始取得进展。政府在这敏感议题上迟迟不肯做决定已耽搁得太久了。许多城市都容许例如Uber的网约车服务。我已说过许多遍，香港亦应该一样，以赶上其他智能城市。政府终于向的士业界表明，是时候要接受竞争了，我给政府满分。

　　网约车服务很受香港人欢迎，但仍在灰色地带（grey area）内运作。若某事在grey area内，那即是不确定可以套用哪一条规限。到目前为止政府只是说，方案会规管网约车服务，却没有提供具体细节。它没有说政府会发放几多牌照给网约车，但清晰表明会有发牌数量限制。政府自己做的公众意见调查显示，网约车服务远远比的士受欢迎，政府应该记紧这一点。发牌太少只会对的士业界而非公众有益。

　　一个的士商会要求政府仅准许像Uber的网约车服务在繁忙时间内运作。政府应该驳回这等荒谬又不切实际的要求。的士与网约车好应在一个level playing field上竞争。习语level playing field是指一个公平竞争的环境，人人都有取胜的机会。香港的成功就是建立在公平的竞争之上。

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Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻