Q5. Some taxi drivers may deliberately select an unreasonably longer route for higher fares. Is it regulated by the law? How can the passenger prove it?
Is it regulated by the law?
Yes, it is regulated by law.
The driver of a taxi shall not without reasonable excuse when hired to drive to a specified destination, drive to such destination other than by the most direct practicable route: see Regulation 37(d) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D). Any person who without reasonable excuse contravenes Regulation 37(d) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at $10,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months: see Regulation 57(4) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D).
The driver of taxi shall not unreasonably delay the journey: see Regulation 45(1)(i) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D). Any person who without reasonable excuse contravenes Regulation 45(1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $3,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months: see Regulation 57(1) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D).
How can the passenger prove it?
- Request for Receipt
A passenger should request a receipt from the taxi driver for the payment of fares, which the taxi driver is obliged to issue under Regulation 49A of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D).
Under Schedule 9, Part I of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D), a receipt issued in respect of the payment of any fare for the hiring of a taxi must be in a form specified by the Commissioner for Transport and must include:
- registration number of the taxi;
- date and time when the journey starts;
- date and time when the journey ends;
- total distance travelled;
- distance over which a distance rate is charged;
- waiting time over which a time rate is charged;
- surcharges, if any; and
- total taxi fare.
The letters, characters, and figures on the receipt must be printed in black or blue and be at least 2 millimetres in height. The receipt must also be printed on paper with a white background.
The passenger may use the receipt as a prove that the total distance travelled by is unreasonably longer than the original distance anticipated. The receipt is also to be used to show that the fares charged is unreasonably high having regard to the originally anticipated distance.
- Testify in Court
Alternatively, the passenger may testify in Court as to the route actually taken by the taxi driver.