Advertisement

Taxi scam on Lantau unfair to passengers

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
SCMP Reporter

I am concerned about the taxi monopoly which operates on Lantau.

On Saturday, August 24, I was planning to go to Cheung Sha beach from Tung Chung at about 4pm with six other people.

In our group was a three-year-old child. After seeing the long queue at the bus stop we went to the Lantau taxi rank, as only Lantau cabs are allowed to go to Mui Wo.

Advertisement

There were about 50 people standing in the queue. We waited for 30 minutes and only saw two taxis pick up people. The other taxis dropped off passengers near the rank and then left with a 'Not in Service' sign covering the meter.

We called a taxi company, but got a recorded message, asking us to call back later. When we finally got through we were told no taxis were available and we should call later.

Advertisement

We phoned a few minutes later and told the operator that we would pay an extra $50 for each of the two taxis we needed.

We called a third time and said we would pay an extra $100. We were told to go around the corner from the rank and we would be picked up.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x