Taxi drivers and passengers have both complained about video programs being shown in 2,000 of Shenzhen's taxis, saying they are rarely changed and contain too many boring advertisements.

Now Union Media, provider of the in-car TV, has promised to put on more lively programs by the end of this year.

The first 150 in-car TVs were installed during last year's high-tech fair. Now 2,000 of the city's taxis have been equipped with the sets. They repeatedly show public welfare advertisements, simple information about Shenzhen's traffic, geography, tourism, shopping, food and drink, and some commercial advertisements.

"Passengers showed interest in the programs at the beginning. But they haven't been changed for more than two months. It is really boring," complained a taxi driver surnamed Lu.

Lu said the 7-inch TV in his taxi is automatically turned on when passengers get in and repeatedly broadcasts boring advertisements and very basic city information. If passengers don't want to listen to the program, they can switch off the sound in some taxis. But there is no way the TV can be fully turned off until passengers get out.

(Shenzhen Daily February 6, 2007)