TAXI drivers have long been regarded as life forms that exist towards the lower end of the food chain. In many cases, this is an unjust and inaccurate view, a sweeping generalisation that tars many hard-working and honest people with the same brush asthe cheats and conmen.
Sadly, Friday night confirmed every prejudice anyone has felt towards taxi drivers. As soon as the No 8 signal went up, out came the hyenas prowling the streets looking for easy pickings.
It is a simple way to make a large and fast buck out of people who needed to get home.
The fares being asked were outrageous. While $700 from Kai Tak airport to Tai Po was perhaps the example, triple the usual fare seemed to be the norm.
It is pure extortion and the police appear to be powerless to do anything about it. The real power lies in the hands of the passengers.
How many people mutter a few oaths, pay through the nose and then complain to their friends in the office the next day.
