Green minibus routes caught overcharging fares

The Transport Department said on Saturday that its regular monitoring has found four New Territories green minibus routes charging passengers fares higher than the effective fares approved, with the differential ranging from HK$0.3 to HK$1 per trip.

The department said the four routes include No. 501A, 501C, 501K, and 501S, operated by Fully Mint Limited.

A spokesman for the department said they were very concerned about the incident, which they found unacceptable.

“We are following up on the matter seriously and have instructed the green minibus operator and relevant stored value facility operators to conduct thorough investigations and submit a report," the spokesman said.

"The four routes have resumed charging at their original fares since their first departures today. We have demanded and the green minibus operator has agreed to arrange full refunds of the overcharged fares to the affected passengers. The GMB operator and relevant stored value facility operators will inform the affected passengers of the refund arrangements as soon as possible and provide necessary assistance,” the spokesman added.