A taxi driver was fined $1,500 yesterday for being rude, in a case that cab operators plan to take up with the Transport Department.
Ha Kam-sing had denied 'behaving other than in a civil and orderly manner' under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations.
Magistrate Eddie Yip Chor-man heard Ha had frightened a nine-year-old girl in his cab by being rude to her mother during a mobile phone conversation over where he should let the girl out.
The court heard the mother, surnamed Chiu, wanted the driver to drop the girl, her brother and their domestic helper outside Union House in Causeway Bay where she was waiting. Ha refused because it was a restricted zone and said he would take them to Paterson Street.
Ms Chiu told him to let them off so they could get another taxi, but Ha refused because the cab was on an overpass. The daughter told the court Ha had told her mother she was very annoying and must never have been in a taxi before to be making such requests. The girl said she was frightened.
Ha, who was representing himself, said Ms Chiu was being unreasonable. 'I was only trying to protect the children, but she said I was being impolite,' he said.
