China has announced a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed taxis in a bid to stem cab strikes that have paralysed cities in the past year.
The three-month campaign begins on Friday and runs through May, the Ministry of Public Security announced on its website over the weekend.
The crackdown, launched by the transportation and public security ministries, is aimed at “leaders and organisers of illegal businesses, especially mafia-style gangs, which disrupt and corner the market,” the statement said.
The announcement came as more than 100 cab drivers went on an all-day strike Sunday in western Qinghai province’s Tongren county, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The action was to voice complaints by cab drivers that unlicensed competition and rising costs have cut deeply into their profits.
Xinhua quoted on unnamed driver as saying the strike was staged because of the local government’s failure to curb the rampant illegal taxis.
“There are only 180 licensed taxis in Tongren, where the number of the unlicensed cabs exceeds 300,” he said.
As part of the crackdown, traffic authorities will check areas such as airports, bus stations, hotels, hospitals and scenic spots. The two ministries said the unlicensed drivers would be penalised.
Last year, mass strikes by taxi drivers partially shut down nearly a half dozen cities across the country, including the mega-city of Chongqing and the southern island resort of Sanya.
Chinese authorities are particularly worried this year about the possibility of mass unrest given the impact of the global financial downturn on the country’s economy.
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China to crack down on unlicensed cabs
Associated Press in Beijing
16 February 2009
China has announced a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed taxis in a bid to stem cab strikes that have paralysed cities in the past year.
The three-month campaign begins on Friday and runs through May, the Ministry of Public Security announced on its website over the weekend.
The crackdown, launched by the transportation and public security ministries, is aimed at “leaders and organisers of illegal businesses, especially mafia-style gangs, which disrupt and corner the market,” the statement said.
The announcement came as more than 100 cab drivers went on an all-day strike Sunday in western Qinghai province’s Tongren county, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The action was to voice complaints by cab drivers that unlicensed competition and rising costs have cut deeply into their profits.
Xinhua quoted on unnamed driver as saying the strike was staged because of the local government’s failure to curb the rampant illegal taxis.
“There are only 180 licensed taxis in Tongren, where the number of the unlicensed cabs exceeds 300,” he said.
As part of the crackdown, traffic authorities will check areas such as airports, bus stations, hotels, hospitals and scenic spots. The two ministries said the unlicensed drivers would be penalised.
Last year, mass strikes by taxi drivers partially shut down nearly a half dozen cities across the country, including the mega-city of Chongqing and the southern island resort of Sanya.
Chinese authorities are particularly worried this year about the possibility of mass unrest given the impact of the global financial downturn on the country’s economy.
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