Three foreign travelers overcharged ¥400 on a Guangzhou airport taxi to Huizhou had fares refunded. Report taxi overcharging via the 12345 hotline or the in-car QR code.
Tags:Source: OT-Team(G), 南方都市报
A taxi driver in Guangzhou has been investigated after charging three foreign passengers nearly ¥400 more than the normal fare for a trip from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to Huicheng District in Huizhou, authorities said on October 27.
According to Guangzhou Transport, on October 26, a taxi driver surnamed Chen, driving a vehicle operated by Guangfa Company with license plate number 粤AC***65, picked up the three passengers at the taxi boarding area of Terminal 2 at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
After arriving at their destination in Huicheng District, Huizhou, Chen demanded an excessive fare. The amount ultimately collected was nearly ¥400 higher than the normal price for the journey.
After becoming aware of information circulating online about the incident, enforcement officers from the Guangzhou Municipal Transport Bureau promptly launched an investigation and secured evidence of the violations.
Less than three hours after the incident, transport enforcement officers, working alongside police, located and apprehended Chen.
During the on-site investigation, officers also discovered other violations committed by the driver. Two cases were formally filed against him for failing to use the taxi's fare meter as required and operating a taxi for commercial purposes without completing the required driver registration procedures. Other matters involving Chen were referred to the police for further investigation.
The transport authorities ordered the company concerned to refund the passengers' fares. Chen's violations were also reported within the taxi industry, while his employer imposed internal disciplinary measures, including a seven-day suspension from duty and the deduction of bonuses.
The passengers expressed satisfaction with the handling of the case.
Penalties for Taxi Drivers Who Overcharge
According to the transport authorities, Chen's conduct, including negotiating fares outside the prescribed system and operating without the required registration, violated China's Regulations on the Administration of Taxi Operation Services and Regulations on the Administration of Taxi Drivers' Professional Qualifications.
Each of the two violations carries a fine of between ¥200 and ¥500.
The authorities urged taxi drivers to operate honestly and provide services in accordance with regulations. Drivers who receive administrative penalties three or more times within a calendar year may face further sanctions, including the revocation of their taxi driver's license.
Cases involving substantial amounts of money and suspected fraud may also result in public security penalties under relevant laws and regulations.
In addition, violations by individual taxi drivers can affect their employers' industry service-quality assessments.
How Foreign Passengers Can Report Taxi Overcharging
Guangzhou has introduced an industry-wide “Refund First for Violations” mechanism for cruising taxis, allowing passengers to seek refunds quickly when drivers violate service regulations.
Passengers who encounter problems such as detours, being asked to leave the taxi before reaching their destination, unauthorized ride-sharing with other passengers, improper use of the fare meter, fare negotiation or other unauthorized charges can report the incident through several channels:
Scan the complaint QR code on the Yangcheng Taxi Information Card (羊城打车明白卡) displayed in the taxi.
Call the taxi company's customer service hotline, which should be displayed inside the vehicle or printed on the receipt.
Call Guangzhou's 12345 government service hotline to submit a complaint.
Under the mechanism, taxi companies are generally expected to complete an initial verification and issue a refund within one day, helping passengers resolve complaints promptly.
The authorities reminded passengers to retain relevant evidence, such as receipts and trip details, when reporting suspected violations.
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