Two van drivers have been arrested by undercover officers hiring vans to go to Kowloon Bay from Tseung Kwan O on Sunday afternoon. The officers revealed their identities and arrested the drivers upon arrival, in an operation by the Kowloon East Regional Police, the police told HKFP.
The two arrested drivers, aged 30 and 48, were charged with carrying passengers illegally for reward and not having third party risks insurance.
The arrested drivers were released on bail. They were required to report to the police in early September.
By law, vehicles carrying passengers for hire must obtain a hire car permit from the government. Violation of the law may result in a fine of HK$5,000 and imprisonment of three months on the first conviction, and a fine of HK$10,000 and up to six months’ imprisonment on the second conviction.
Media reports that the two drivers had been contacted through controversial “car hire app” Uber—the target of a police crackdown two weeks ago—were erroneous, Uber stated on Monday afternoon. The Police Public Relations Branch said the drivers had not been contacted through Uber.
