Shanghai set up credit records for every taxi driver yesterday after a driver overcharged a foreigner 1,480 yuan (US$191) for a 39-kilometer journey on Wednesday, Labor Daily reported today.

The city's transport management department issued four measures after the case to strengthen taxi industry regulations, including launching the driver credit record database and opening classes for violators.

The credit record will contain the driver's personal information, good behaviors as well violations.

A Haibo taxi driver Cao Chunhua, who overcharged a Swedish man 10 times the fare on Wednesday, has been detained for questioning and fired by his company.

The Swedish man later received an apology and 4,110 yuan in compensation from Haibo Taxi Co yesterday.

The city's traffic authority has revoked Cao's taxi license.

The Traffic Law Enforcement Team has decided to employ hotel security staff to help the supervision of 'black-hearted cabbies,' and improve the crackdown on scalpers at Pudong International Airport.

Passengers can dial 952000 or 6546-6671 for complaints, which are available 24 hours a day.

(Shanghai Daily March 2, 2007)