Hong Kong authorities have launched an investigation into the operator of four green minibus routes that have allegedly been overcharging passengers.
Fully Mint Limited, which manages four minibus routes in the North District, had set fares between HK$0.30 and HK$1 higher than the approved amount, a government statement published on Saturday read.
“We are following up on the matter seriously and have instructed the green minibus operator and relevant stored value facility operators to conduct thorough investigations and submit a report,” a Transport Department spokesperson said, according to local media outlets.
The department added that the four routes had resumed charging their original fares, adding that affected passengers would receive full refunds.
The routes concerned were minibuses 501A, 501C and 501K, which operate in Fanling, as well as 501S, which runs between Sheung Shui and Kwun Tong.
The fare for the Fanling routes is HK$5.40, while the fourth route costs HK$27.
Hong Kong’s green minibuses are operated by private companies that submit tenders to run the routes. Operators must abide by the timetables and fares set by authorities.
There are currently 359 main routes in Hong Kong, of which 210 are in the New Territories.
According to an online database about the city’s public transportation, Fully Mint Limited runs 10 minibus routes mostly in the Sha Tin and North Districts.
Lawmaker Edward Lau said in a Facebook post on Saturday that he understood the operator had previously applied to the Transport Department for a fare increase. But before receiving a confirmation as to when the new fares would come into effect, the operator increased the fares in mid-May.
He said he believed “quite a lot of people” had been affected by this as the routes serve neighbourhood residents commuting between housing estates and train stations.
