Hong Kong taxi driver cleared over 8 cent overcharge

[Jman888]

I hope no one would say 'it is a matter of principle!' [laugh]

 

 

Hong Kong taxi driver cleared over 8 cent overcharge

AFP Friday, May 17, 2013

 

HONG KONG - A taxi driver who endured a six-month lawsuit after overcharging a passenger by six US cents (S$0.078) has finally had his name cleared by a Hong Kong court.

 

Tam Hoi-Chi walked free after his case was thrown out Thursday but was left questioning the city's justice system.

 

"I want to know why the opposite side, for the reason of this small amount, would want to sue me," Tam, 57, told reporters outside the court afterwards.

 

"It's really not just. Why did I have to waste so much time? I have to make a living," he said.

 

He stood accused of "taxi overcharge" according to the Hong Kong judiciary's website. The case was brought to court even though rounding up to the nearest dollar is a common practice amongst the city's taxi drivers.

 

Tam had overcharged a female passenger HK$0.50 (S$0.078) on a HK$136.5 fare, local newspaper South China Morning Post reported.

 

She had handed over HK$200 at the end of the journey last October and received HK$63 in change, but did not immediately ask for the 50 cents. She later made a complaint to the police, the Post said.

 

Prosecutors offered no evidence to the court after they reviewed the case and witness statements, according to the newspaper.

 

"Given the trivial nature...it was considered not appropriate to proceed with it," the city's Department of Justice told the Post, saying that it had not been consulted before the charge was laid.

 

"This wastes Hong Kong people's money, and it wastes government money, and wastes time," Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association chairman Wong Chung-keung told AFP, adding that he's never seen this happen to his drivers before.

 

It was not immediately clear how much the case had cost the Hong Kong taxpayer.

 

Taxi drivers have recently been in the firing line for overcharging and cheating tourists and have received fines, community service and bans on taxi driving as punishment.

[Deckbuild]

For that amount, what will the lady gain?

[Jman888]

For that amount, what will the lady gain?

 

 

one mouth breath

[Deckbuild]

one mouth breath

 

Even if matter or principle, also can tell the taxi driver directly, don't need to poh mata after that right? I wonder is it the lady that wants to sue, or the police escalate the case.

[TonyStark123]

then singapore taxi fare is $10.88, then how? like that they must credit refund by bank or cheque refund leh? for the $0.02 change

Edited May 17, 2013 by TonyStark123

[Jman888]

Even if matter or principle, also can tell the taxi driver directly, don't need to poh mata after that right? I wonder is it the lady that wants to sue, or the police escalate the case.

 

 

maybe she was expecting the taxi driver to round off and return her $65 instead [rolleyes]

[Vid]

What kind of a person will sue someone for such a small amount? Just give her HK$5 and tell her keep the change lah.

[Deckbuild]

What kind of a person will sue someone for such a small amount? Just give her HK$5 and tell her keep the change lah.

 

The police should do that, so that he don't have to waste his precious time lodging this report.... It's quite a joke to hear this....

[Vid]

The police should do that, so that he don't have to waste his precious time lodging this report.... It's quite a joke to hear this....

 

Exactly! I would seriously question the judicial system too. The amount of taxpayer's money wasted on this is definitely much more than that miserable amount.

[Thaiyotakamli]

This lady very niao, such small money also make it big matter

[Tiger1]

Most likely still single til now.

 

Oooops. Dun sue me pls.

[Rncw]

香港人一向都很注重个人自由, 言论自由, 和个人原则.......看他们的国会辩论就知道了....反对党为了反对而反对

[Yewheng]

The judge should fine the lady for wasting of time and resources just because of 8 cent overcharge.

[Rustyz]

The judge should fine the lady for wasting of time and resources just because of 8 cent overcharge.

 

Most likely she have to court fee and etc

[BlueOldMan]

This type will cry rape after ons

[Redune]

wrong day of the month

[Mcf777]

i't's a matter of principle. depends on who is the person.

I can afford to pay S$2 to buy 3 packet of tissue from the autie/uncle.

 

But when come to taxi, even 10cents i wont give it to them.

When they started the 1 cents, 2 cents on their meter, the driver round-up.

I also complained to Citicab that they overcharged me by rounding up.

 

I think after my complain, internally, they must have issue a memo to inform the driver.

Now all round down when i take taxi.

[Jman888]

will you sue the taxi company or the driver?

 

i't's a matter of principle. depends on who is the person.

I can afford to pay S$2 to buy 3 packet of tissue from the autie/uncle.

 

But when come to taxi, even 10cents i wont give it to them.

When they started the 1 cents, 2 cents on their meter, the driver round-up.

I also complained to Citicab that they overcharged me by rounding up.

 

I think after my complain, internally, they must have issue a memo to inform the driver.

Now all round down when i take taxi.