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The Transport Department, together with the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) and Police, met Legco member Mr Wong Kwok-hing and taxi trade representatives today (September 28) concerning the issues of "taxi discount gangs" and taxi fare bargaining by passengers.
The Transport Department representatives explained at the meeting that the existing legislation already prohibited the soliciting of passengers by offering fare discounts or any other means. Anyone contravening the regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $10,000 and to six months' jail. The representatives stressed that taxi passengers shall pay the legal taxi fare as recorded by the taximeter in accordance with the law.
Police have all along been taking enforcement action against taxi soliciting. The Government will continue to maintain dialogue and cooperate with the taxi trade to combat such illicit activities. The taxi trade is also encouraged to provide information on any suspected taxi soliciting activities so as to facilitate investigation by the Police.
Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:15
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