Shanghai taxi drivers can now be fined for bad manners

flickr: Aapo Haapanen

In news that will send a shiver down the spines of many a Shanghai chuzusiji, Shanghai Municipal Transportation Committee has issued a set of regulations, effective from this month, targeting the conduct of taxi drivers.

The regulations cover the taxi's appearance, the driver's attire, behaviour and manners. For drivers who breach the regulations, there will be fines of up to 2,000RMB – so, like, ten trips to Pudong Airport.

flickr: Tine Steiss

According to the notice, taxis that appear unclean, are untidy inside, have malfunctioning components (windows not opening etc), have an unpleasant odour, unsatisfactory air conditioning and a difficult-to-read meter will see their driver fined anywhere between 200 and 2,000RMB.

There is a maximum 200RMB fine for drivers who don't dress properly or that smoke in the car, and a 50-200RMB penalty for those who are ill-behaved or display bad manners – including rejecting passengers, deliberately taking longer routes and charging false and unfair prices. Guilty drivers will also have their driving license revoked for 15 days.

Police are particularly targeting drivers in areas much frequented by taxis, such as hotels, train stations and airports.

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