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November 14, 2009

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Illegal cabbies disrupt buses

ILLEGAL taxi operators in the outer suburbs are not going down without a fight as the city provides community buses for Metro commuters.

The initiative was driven because of the proliferation of black taxis in the areas in the hope of thwarting the illegal operators.

However, some community bus stop signs have been torn down by the owners of illegal cabs, who are also intentionally blocking areas designated for arrivals and departures.

The Songjiang District authorities are increasing security at community stops in the wake of the disruptions.

Songjiang police said yesterday that they were investigating and offenders would face penalties.

Traffic signs and cameras would be installed to stop illegal parking at the bus stations, the Songjiang transportation authorities said yesterday.

"Violation of public facilities is not acceptable," said Gui Lili, an official of the traffic authorities

Gui said the authorities would cooperate with police and urban management department to enhance security and weed out trouble-makers.

The bus line Songjiang 61, the first community service in the district running between Chedun Town and Rongjiang Road, has been harassed by illegal cabs.

Since community buses started to run between Metro stations and residential complexes two weeks ago, black taxis have been parking right at the terminals, blocking the way.

Traffic problems

"Sometimes we call the police," said a dispatcher of the bus service.

"However, when the police come, they leave. And after the police leave, they come back again as if the station were theirs."

The black cabs, including motorcycles, pedicabs, minibuses and sedans, at times line for hundreds of meters along Nanle Road, where a bus station is located, according to residents.

Since the bus line started its service, there are about 500 people taking it daily and the number is increasing despite the interference of the black cabs, according to a conductor, surnamed Lu.

"There is no way for us to call into the stations as they are all parked there," Lu said. "We can only stop in the middle of the lane, which can easily cause traffic problems."

The second community bus line, Songjiang 24, went into service last Wednesday and the district will soon add or alter five more routes.


 

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