The confiscated taxis Photo: HKPF
Police conducted operations in the Sai Kung Country Park area on 13 and 14 February to crack down on taxi overcharging on the eve of the Lunar New Year, arresting six men and one woman.
Inspector Poon Chun-ho of the Special Task Force of the Traffic Division of the East Kowloon Regional Headquarters stated that the drivers involved allegedly charged as much as HK$200 for a journey that normally costs around HK$60. They were highly vigilant; officers conducted extensive observation before the operation, recording the relevant licence plates and modus operandi. They then disguised themselves as passengers and set up strategic roadblocks. Seven people were arrested on charges of overcharging, attempted overcharging, failing to display the taxi meter, and failing to display the taxi driver’s license on the document holder. The taxis in question were detained for further examination.
Police pointed out that the driver’s behaviour not only harmed the rights of individual passengers but also damaged Hong Kong’s reputation as an international tourist city. Police will continue to crack down on such behaviour during the Lunar New Year period and remind the public that if they suspect taxis are refusing passengers or overcharging, they can record the driver’s name, licence plate number, time, and location for reporting.
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