Cabbies want mechanism to file complaints against riders

A unionist said on Monday that a new taxi driver demerit points system is effective in deterring bad apples of the industry, yet authorities should also set up a mechanism for cabbies to file complaints against riders in case of abuse.

Harry Ho Chi-keung, director of the taxi driver branch of the Motor Transport Workers General Union, told a radio program this morning that the new demerit points system has placed cabbies in a tough spot, with the drivers lacking protection from passengers who made unreasonable complaints.

He said most of the taxi drivers are against the demerit points system, with most of them worried they will be slapped with the demerit points for no reason.

The government should speed up the installation of a central cloud-based camera system in taxis to help handle the complaints and offer protection for both passengers and drivers, said Ho.

“For example, a passenger requests to go to a certain location, but due to a traffic accident on the usual route, the driver suggests an alternative route and is agreed by the passenger…but upon reaching the destination, the passenger complains about the fare being too high and filed a complaint against the driver,” he said, adding that a central cloud-based camera system could prove the drivers’ innocence.

His comments came days after the demerit points system made its first impact, with a driver receiving 10 points for overcharging a passenger.

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