Mainland driver charged in Hong Kong for offering ride-hailing service illegally
A mainland Chinese visitor has been remanded in custody pending trial in Hong Kong for allegedly offering ride-hailing services without the required permit.
Ye Hai, 41, was escorted to Kowloon City Court on Wednesday to face three charges after police scooped up the defendant in a sting operation the previous day targeting private vehicle drivers who accepted paid customers without a hire car permit.
The defendant, who entered Hong Kong last Friday with a two-way permit, allegedly used the online mapping service Amap to offer paid rides.
A 55-year-old local man who was also arrested in the operation has been released on bail without charge.
Ye, who entered Hong Kong last Friday with a two-way permit, was not required to enter a plea on charges of breach of condition of stay, driving a motor vehicle for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward, and using a vehicle without third party insurance, as prosecutors asked for more time to investigate further.
The defendant was remanded in custody after failing to secure bail before the next hearing on August 5. He has reserved his right to renew his bail application next Wednesday.