Penalties against Hong Kong taxi drivers won't increase, says transport minister, despite surge in complaints
But lawmakers tell Anthony Cheung prosecutions for overcharging and refusing hires are too few and lax
Having trouble fetching a cab in town? The city’s transport minster said the government saw no need to increase penalties for taxi drivers’ misdeeds despite his concern about a surging number of complaints against their services.
Speaking at a Legislative Council hearing yesterday, Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung Bing-leung said the number of prosecutions for refusal to hire and overcharging rose from 28 and 16 cases in 2010, to 167 and 56 cases in the first ten months of this year respectively.
The highest penalties imposed by courts against taxi drivers’ misdeeds were a fine of HK$5,500 and a jail term of three months.
READ MORE: Surge in complaints against Hong Kong taxi drivers as passengers complain of rudeness, overcharging and hire refusals
“Precedent shows that the courts have not invoked the maximum penalty so far, suggesting that the current penalty level is sufficient,” said Cheung.
“The government therefore does not see the need to consider increasing the penalties at this time.”
Under the road traffic regulations, it is an offence to overcharge taxi fare, refuse to hire or not to use the most direct practicable route. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum punishment of six-month imprisonment and a fine of HK$10,000.
The government’s transport advisory committee said, however, it had received about 2,500 complaints against cab services in just the second quarter of this year.
