Traffic authorities have banned taxi drivers from changing shifts during rush hour, after passengers complained of their difficulties in hailing a taxi during that time.

Drivers cannot change shifts between 7 AM and 9 AM, and between 5 PM and 7 PM, according to a notice issued by the municipal taxi management bureau to taxi companies, which becomes effective today, March 1.

The notice requires taxi companies to include the condition in their contracts with new drivers, said Gong Xiang, vice head of the taxi management bureau.

The bureau has also asked taxi companies to make sure some drivers change shifts before 5 PM, or have 24-hour shifts.

Cab driver Fu Zusheng, who used to change shifts at 7 AM and 7 PM, has decided to partially follow the order.

"My nightshift partner and I have agreed to postpone the shift time by half an hour," he said, implying that he would change shifts at 7:30 AM, which is forbidden.

Fu said the morning shift change "does not matter" as few people take taxis at that time in the morning.

But changing shifts before 5 PM in the afternoon was "unrealistic" because that would make him lose plenty of business, he said.

Gong Xiang said his bureau would send inspectors to enforce the new regulation.

Taxi drivers will be fined 1,000 yuan (US$123) and given a penalty point if they are caught refusing passengers during rush hour, even if they put up an "out of service" sign, according to the new regulation.

Previously, they would not be fined for refusing to take passengers if they carried an "out of service" sign.

(Shenzhen Daily March 1, 2006)