Taxi drivers in Beijing will be fined up to 2,000 yuan (US$291) if they intentionally take longer routes, refuse to take a passenger or charge too much, the city's traffic authority said, according to Beijing News.

According to the report, the authority will launch a one-month crackdown on illegal operations within the taxi industry. The Peninsula Beijing, Sunworld Dynasty, Tianlun Songhe Hotel and other hotels assigned for the Olympic Games will be the major places for checks.

The traffic authority said more clients will stay at these hotels as the Olympic Games approach. A single trip from the airport to the Peninsula Beijing via the highway and second ring road is about 80 yuan. However, some taxi drivers will take the fourth ring road to push up the fare.

Drivers caught pulling such tricks will be fined from 1,000 yuan to 2,000 yuan according to the regulations of the Taxi Industry in Beijing. Drivers who refuse to take passengers will also be fined. Cabbies who fix the meter in order to drive up fares will have their business licenses revoked, the report said.

During the one month crackdown, the traffic authority will monitor railway stations, long-distance bus stations and major public transport lines, according to the report.

(Shanghai Daily June 25, 2008)