Overcharged minibus passengers to get refunds

Passengers who were overcharged by the operator of four New Territories minibus routes can get a refund from Monday, transport authorities announced. The Transport Department earlier revealed that the green-top minibus routes operated by Fully Mint Limited – 501A, 501C, 501K and 501S – had been charging passengers more than the approved fares for over two months. It said that from May 19 to July 26, the operator set fares between HK$0.3 and HK$1 higher than the permitted amount. A department spokesperson on Monday said passengers affected can get the excess fare amounts back either in cash or via electronic payment methods. "As beneficiaries under the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities were not affected by the overcharging incident, refund is not needed. The [green minibus] operator will reimburse the government for the overpaid subsidies under the scheme," it said. Passengers who paid by Octopus can claim a refund via the mobile app or at an Octopus Service Point, while people who paid in cash get can their refund from the minibus operator at Wo Mun Street PLB Terminus. Alipay and AlipayHK, for their part, said the overcharged fares have been refunded directly to users affected.