Hong Kong taxi driver arrested for allegedly charging undercover police officer HK$150 for HK$27 trip
- Driver, 32, arrested on Hong Kong Island during overnight police operation
- Officers detain suspect for allegedly failing to follow taxi meter
A taxi driver has been arrested on Hong Kong Island for allegedly charging an undercover officer five times the expected fare.
The 32-year-old driver was arrested during an overnight operation between Friday night until dawn the next day aimed at tackling overcharging, the force said on Saturday.
The driver has been accused of charging the officer HK$150 (US$19), about five times the HK$27 expected fare, to travel from Lan Kwai Fong to a location on Hong Kong Island.
Officers subsequently arrested him for allegedly failing to follow the taxi meter.
The force warned that taxi drivers convicted of overcharging are liable to a maximum penalty of HK$10,000 and six months’ jail, vowing it would continue to take action to crack down on the illegal practice.
It also urged the public to file a report if they suspected they had been overcharged by a taxi driver by recording the time and place of occurrence, vehicle number plate, the driver’s name and the route taken.
The government on Wednesday introduced a bill in the Legislative Council aimed at improving taxi services which proposes a penalty points system to punish bad behaviour.