Undercover operation arrests 68-year-old taxi driver for charging triple fare in Tsim Sha Tsui

A 68-year-old local taxi driver was arrested in Tsim Sha Tsui on Thursday for allegedly charging undercover police officers approximately triple the normal fare during a targeted operation against taxi violations. The West Kowloon Traffic Department's enforcement unit, working with Tsim Sha Tsui division and auxiliary police, conducted plainclothes operations in the area.

The driver faces charges of "overcharging," "failing to display taxi driver identification," and "not setting the taximeter to record position" after officers posed as passengers and documented the fare violation. The case will be heard at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on Friday, with the involved taxi impounded for examination.

During the same operation, police issued traffic summons to six additional taxi drivers for violations including operating without activated taximeters and failing to properly display driver identification cards. Authorities emphasized that overcharging constitutes a serious offense punishable by up to six months' imprisonment and HK$10,000 fines under current regulations.

Police urged passengers to note details including time, location, taxi license number, driver name, and route when reporting suspected taxi violations, maintaining ongoing operations to protect public and tourist interests.