Shenzhen taxi companies were told by the municipal communications bureau Friday to refund taxi driver's leasehold payments before the end of September.

They were also banned from charging drivers cash deposits or leasehold payments except for a security guarantee deposit, which is no more than 90,000 yuan (US$11,000) for each taxi.

Sun Yuzheng, a local taxi driver, said the move had been widely acclaimed by his colleagues who realized that the government would really do something for them this time.

"My company has informed us it will refund our leasehold cash by the end of September. Deducting the 90,000-yuan security deposit and two years' depreciation, I may get 20,000 to 30,000 yuan leasehold back," Sun said.

The bureau has long been vowing to streamline the taxi trade management by clarifying the taxi property right as well as the relationship between taxi companies and drivers, which is considered a main reason to hamper the rectification in the taxi industry.

There are 73 taxi companies in the city and most of them have charged drivers with a cash deposit, which could amount between 140,000 yuan and 200,000 yuan for a taxi.

(Shenzhen Daily August 23, 2005)