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October 23, 2014

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Campaign targets cherry-picking cabbies

PLAINCLOTHES traffic law enforcement officers have launched a campaign to catch city taxi drivers who refuse to take passengers traveling only a short distance.

Drivers found refusing a fare when their “for hire” sign is illuminated will receive a 200 yuan (US$33) fine and be suspended for 15 days, said the Shanghai Traffic Law Enforcement Team.

The crackdown follows an increasing number of complaints about cabbies cherry-picking fares, said the team.

However, it is often difficult for passengers to prove they were refused. A team member said plainclothes officers record encounters as evidence.

The campaign got under way on Tuesday and among those snared were two drivers refusing fares near Metro Line 1’s Xinzhuang station.

A Shanghai Blue Union Taxi Co cab with its “for hire” sign illuminated was hailed by two team members.

Initially, the driver confirmed that he was for hire, but on learning that the pair wanted to go to nearby Qibao Ancient Town, refused the fare.

At that point, the traffic law enforcement officers revealed their identities, handed the driver a 200 yuan fine and suspended him for 15 days.

“Some drivers refuse a passenger because they think the destination is too close. They’d rather wait for a longer and more profitable ride,” said one law enforcement team member.

According to the team member, there are several hundred plainclothes traffic officers in the city, working in pairs.

If cabbies refuse to cooperate, plainclothes officers can call on uniformed colleagues waiting nearby.

The crackdown met with approval from members of the public who say they are often snubbed by cabbies, especially at weekends.

“The authority should increase the number of officers involved,” regular taxi passenger Shen Jing told Shanghai Daily.

“Cases of cabbies picking and choosing their rides happen a lot in downtown areas, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.”

Shen said she tried in vain to hail a cab at the Bund about 9pm last Friday.

She said at least five taxis showing “for hire” drove past. Two other cabs did stop, but when they heard that she wanted to go to the Jing’an Temple, they drove away.

“I had no choice but to wait for a bus, as the only other option was an illegal unlicensed cab — and they charge two or three times the usual price,” Shen said.

The plainclothes campaign will last until at least the end of the year, said the traffic law enforcement team.

Other offences which the team cracks down on include overcharging, taking longer routes, swapping transport cards and lending cabs to other drivers.

Fair play for fares

A cabbie will be punished for cherry-picking in the following situations:

When a cab shows “for hire” and the driver stops for a passenger hailing in the street, but then refuses the fare.

When a cab shows “for hire” but the driver refuses passengers from queues at airports, railway stations and other transport hubs.

When a cab waiting by the roadside shows “for hire” but refuses a fare.

When a driver stops during a ride and tells passengers to get out without giving a proper reason.




 

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