Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday stressed that the proposed regulatory framework for ride-hailing services must also allow taxis the room to operate.

He was speaking hours before the government is expected to unveil more details on the plan.

Ahead of Tuesday's Executive Council meeting, Lee said the regulation of such services was complicated and overdue, and emphasised that it is an issue that should not be allowed to drag on any longer.

"The legislative proposal relating to the coexistence of online ride-hailing services and taxis is complex, with many different opinions," Lee said.

"But there's a clear consensus that ride-hailing services must be regulated in the form of legislation to protect the safety of passengers.

"Therefore, the Transport and Logistics Bureau can first deal with the issues that are in consensus with a legislative framework, before focusing on other technical details that garner varying views."

Lee said he had asked transport officials to set out standards and responsibilities for ride-hailing platforms and drivers in a proposal to the legislature.

The bureau should create an environment to boost the trade's operational efficiency and give the industry room to do business in the hope of providing better taxi services, he added.

The regulatory framework will see the city legalising ride-hailing services 11 years after the first platform entered the Hong Kong market in 2014.