Beijing cabbies scored highest for cleanliness of vehicles and the fact that they refrain from smoking and eating in their cars in a recent passenger survey, but some passengers lamented the fact that drivers weren't willing to help them with heavy luggage.

 

As the city gears up for the Olympics, the Beijing municipal traffic administration conducted the first ever survey of the service provided by taxi drivers, sampling 5,065 passengers and asking them to give scores in 12 categories of service, according to Tuesday's Beijing News.

 

The survey covered 132 taxi companies and 124 of them notched up more than 90 points.

 

But some passengers complained that Beijing taxi drivers should help them carry luggage and heavy belongings, according to the survey. They gave cabbies 85.1 out of 100 points in the "helping with luggage" category, the lowest score in all 12 categories.

 

Passengers also expected taxi drivers to show more courtesy, the newspaper story said.

 

They gave the highest score of 92.3 points for vehicle neatness.

 

"The result shows most passengers are satisfied with the industry but drivers need to work harder to improve service," said Yao Kuo, deputy director of the administration.

 

The two taxi companies who score lowest in the survey will be suspended from operation until they correct all their problems, he said.

 

The administration plans to make passenger review surveys a regular occurrence, once every three months, Yao said.

 

Beijing has launched several campaigns to encourage citizens to behave properly in public places as the Olympics draw near and the contribution of taxi drivers to the city's image is considered critical.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)