Hong Kong taxi driver cleared over 6 cent overcharge

HONG KONG: A taxi driver who endured a six-month lawsuit after overcharging a passenger by six US cents 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 among the city’s taxi drivers. Tam had overcharged a female passenger HK$ 0.50 ($ 0.06) on a HK$ 136.5 fare, local newspaper reported.