28 Uber drivers become largest group convicted in Hong Kong, hit with fines of up to HK$4,500
Ride-hailing service remains illegal in the city and a number of drivers have been successfully prosecuted
Twenty-eight Hong Kong Uber drivers were on Tuesday handed fines of between HK$3,800 and HK$4,500 (US$570) after being found guilty of driving passengers without a hire car permit.
The group is the largest in the city to be successfully prosecuted for offering ride-sharing services.
That came after the magistrate urged authorities to step up attention on the problem of personalised and point-to-point passenger services.
“Momentous technological breakthroughs never take account of prevailing public policies, but prevailing public policies must take account of momentous technological breakthroughs,” Magistrate Joseph To Ho-shing said in concluding his four-hour verdict.
“This court hopes that the relevant authorities … will soon remedy the position.”
On Tuesday, Kowloon City Court heard that the government’s Transport Department had never issued permits to any of the 28 Uber drivers and none had ever applied.