Lawmaker Gary Zhang says it is noticeable that the government has referred to supply and demand as it moves to regulate online car-hailing platforms, such as Uber.

In a document submitted to lawmakers on Monday, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said it aimed to present the legislative proposal next year but it would first carry out a study on passenger demand and changing needs.

Speaking on RTHK's Hong Kong Today programme, Zhang said the government had only previously referred to taxi quality.

"In fact in the policy paper that the government submitted to the Legislative Council yesterday, the government doesn't really take a very clear stance. But they propose further research," he said.

"But I noticed that in the process of this further research, the government said it would not only just consider the regulation of ride-hailing platforms but also a review of the supply and demand situation of point-to-point transportation services. Traditionally the government seldom mentions such terms as a supply-and-demand issue in any previous public policy document. The discussion generally focused on the service quality of taxis."

Zhang said he believed the issue of quality was more likely a result of supply and demand problems. He said it was positive that the government was willing to focus on clarifying this issue in upcoming research, and that this would make further discussions data driven and more scientific.

The government has proposed regulating online car-hailing platforms by requiring them to obtain a licence to operate. But it is also proposing to increase the deterrent effect by withdrawing a driver's licence for a minimum period of time, such as 12 months.

The bureau has said it would work with the Department of Justice and police to finalise details.