Taxi driver fined $2,000 and license suspended for trying to overcharge passengers during Golden Week

A 53-year-old taxi driver was arrested for attempting to overcharge five passengers HK$100 each for a ride to Lok Ma Chau during the National Day Golden Week at High Island Reservoir East Dam, resulting in a HK$2,000 fine and a four-week license suspension.

The defendant Yip Ho-cheung admitted to a count of attempting to charge taxi hiring fare exceeding the prescribed scale of fares on October 3 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (Nov 13).

At around 6pm on the material day, five passengers asked the defendant if it was possible to get a ride to Lok Ma Chau Control Point by charging fares according to meter. The defendant refused, demanding HK$100 per head. 

Three police officers intervened and arrested Yip. Under caution, Yip admitted that he was “greedy” and that he would not repeat the offense. 

The police calculated that the proper fare wll be around HK$417, less than the HK$500 in total that the defendant requested.

With no prior criminal record but two traffic offenses, the defendant asked for leniency, stating he relies on driving a taxi.

Magistrate Eric Yao Kwok-sun criticized the defendant’s behavior, imposed a HK$2,000 fine and suspended his taxi license for four weeks.