Taxi passengers in Beijing can enjoy television programs now as more than 1,000 local taxis have been furnished with mobile TV sets, the Beijing Daily reported on Saturday.

A small TV screen is fixed above the front seat of the taxi, and can play programs automatically after the driver presses the meter. The passenger can turn up or down the volume by himself. The television will shut down automatically 30 seconds after the driver lifts the meter.

It is expected that 10,000 taxis will be equipped with such TV sets by the end of this year as nine taxi companies have signed agreements with the Beijing Mobile TV Co., according to the newspaper.

The mobile TV company will launch a special channel for taxi passengers on next Monday, an official was quoted by the newspaperas saying.

Beijing bus passengers are already enjoying mobile TV programs provided by the same company.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2005)