Uber Driver Fined HK$3,000 For Illegal Service

An Uber driver who pleaded guilty to carrying passengers without a proper permit has been fined HK$3,000 by Kowloon City Magistrates' Court.

But six other Uber drivers who appeared along him denied the charge and their cases were adjourned.

The driver who admitted guilt was convicted of breaching a clause in the Road Traffic Ordinance, which says no person without a proper permit shall drive a vehicle for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward.

The court was told the male driver had taken a passenger from Yuen Long to Tsuen Wan in June last year and received a payment of HK$155 in return.

The case against the other drivers was adjourned until June 21.

The authorities have for months been cracking down on Uber amid complaints from taxi drivers that the ride-hailing company is robbing them of customers.

But supporters, including the Consumer Council, want the authorities to legalise services like Uber, saying current regulations deprive people of a genuine choice.