Crackdown on taxi apps at hubs
Print Edition
TRAFFIC law enforcement teams have begun a crackdown on drivers using ride-hailing apps to get bookings at city transport hubs, including airports, railway stations and ferry terminals.
Under city regulations, the use of apps such as Didi-Kuaidi and Uber is banned at major hubs as waiting cars cause congestion and it is regarded as unfair on taxi drivers who queue for fares.
This campaign coincides with a crackdown across the city on drivers in vehicles with no business licenses taking passengers for fares, usually booked through ride-hailing apps.
By mid-afternoon on Thursday, three drivers of vehicles without business licenses had been caught trying to make pick-ups outside Hongqiao International Airport.
They had committed two offences — not having a business license and trying to make a pick-up at the airport booked through an app, said officials.
Meanwhile, two registered taxi drivers were caught using ride-hailing apps at Pudong International Airport.
One unlicensed driver, driving a white Buick, deleted ride-hailing app Yihaozhuanche from his phone when the team stopped him for an inspection, said officials.
But after the team confirmed with the passenger how the booking had been made and saw the record, the driver admitted using the app.
The drivers without business licenses face penalties of 10,000 yuan (US$1,610) and losing their driving license for three to six months.
Licensed taxi drivers, who use ride-hailing apps to avoid queuing and cherry-pick fares, receive an administrative penalty of 200 yuan.
Repeat offenders face a business suspension for 15 days.
“Vehicles waiting to pick up passengers cause congestion and affect other passengers, that’s why we have specific areas for taxis,” an official surnamed Chen with the traffic team told Shanghai Daily.
“Moreover, it’s also not fair on taxi drivers who queue at the correct spots.”
Chen added that drivers using ride-hailing apps can choose their fares, cherry-picking lucrative long-distance rides and ignoring shorter fares.
“Over time, this trend would see fewer and fewer drivers queue at the required spots at city transport hubs, making it very hard for passengers to get a cab for a short-distance trip,” added Chen.
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