Shanghai's Traffic Law Enforcement Team announced yesterday that 416 unlicensed taxis and vans had been seized in the past 10 days, saying tip-offs about illegal taxis had led to a surge of busts.

The watchdog said it had enough evidence to prove 80 percent of the vehicles were used frequently as "black cabs," which means their owners would incur near-maximum penalties.

The highest fine for running an illegal taxi business is 50,000 yuan (US$7,267). But it could cost 100,000 yuan for those caught running an unlicensed cargo business.

The watchdog said it was receiving many good tips from locals via two hotlines, 962-000 and 6546-6671.

"Calls are coming in from licensed cabbies and passengers," said Wang Jian, who is in charge of the hotlines.

"Licensed cabbies have made a great contribution. They mostly make calls by mobile phones while on duty. These professional cabbies have provided detailed locations and clear license-plate numbers of suspected unlicensed black taxis."

With the tips provided by a cabbie surnamed Zhao, the watchdog waited near the crossing of Wenshui Road and Gonghexin Road last Wednesday evening and caught three black taxis. The cars regularly touted for business around the spot, the watchdog said.

"Over the past week, I have taken four to five more fares each day in the district," said a cabbie surnamed Yan who works in Fengxian District.

"Now I can wait outside big shopping malls to pick up passengers. In the past, black taxis gathered in crowds there and the drivers would stop us approaching."

The three-month crackdown was launched after a meeting between City Mayor Han Zheng and a group of local cab drivers.

(Shanghai Daily December 9, 2008)