Transportation authorities in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province said on Tuesday that taxi reform is on the agenda after taxi drivers began a strike on Monday to boycott popular online ride-hailing services.
The Transport Commission of Shenzhen Municipality promised on Tuesday to speak with ride-hailing companies and urged them to run their businesses in accordance with the law and regulations, according to a statement issued via its official Sina Weibo account.
The authorities also pledged to fast-track discussions on the reform of the taxi industry and encouraged taxi companies to reduce commission fees charged to drivers.
Taxi services in the city have been partially restored, with a sufficient number of cabs serving the airport, train station and bus stations, the commission said.
But Ding Xiaolong, a Shenzhen taxi driver who has been driving for three years, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the strike is still ongoing.
Ding said all taxi drivers were supposed to attend the strike, and those who did not join the protest have been threatened with violence by other drivers.
"Some taxis near the airport were smashed on Monday evening, so I only dare to drive in some remote areas," Ding said.
Ding explained that local taxi drivers organized the strike through instant message service QQ and social networking application WeChat to express their anger that car-hailing applications have allowed independent drivers to steal taxi drivers' work and livelihoods without having to pay commission fees.
"Taxi drivers' only advantage in competing with those independent drivers is that we can provide invoices [to passengers]. Therefore, we chose the first workday after the New Year holiday to strike in an attempt to pressure the local government," Ding said.
"I often use public transport. And if a taxi is needed, I would call an Uber driver, as it is cheaper. Local taxi drivers are rude and not service-oriented," Gao Yunyang, an employee at a Shenzhen-based securities company, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Ding hopes that the transport commission will take over ride-hailing apps and will only allow taxi drivers to provide services for users.
