Cab drivers shamed for refusing passengers

Transport authorities in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, on Sunday named and shamed 10 taxi drivers who refused to pick up passengers during the rain brought by Typhoon Damrey in recent days.

The Shenyang transport bureau said it investigated 329 cases of deregulation from Wednesday to Sunday, looking at unlicensed taxis and instances of overcharging and refusals to pick up passengers. Most of those incidents were said to occur near railway stations, airport and the business streets.

Yang Cheng, a taxi driver, refused on Wednesday to give a ride to a pregnant woman, the bureau reported on Sunday.

The 10 Shenyang drivers accused of failing to pick up passengers were each fined 3,000 yuan ($471). Meanwhile, the bureau impounded their drivers' licenses and sent them to undergo training.

"I'm happy that these drivers will be punished," said Gao Yang, a Shenyang resident. "I think this will help keep drivers from refusing to pick up passengers."

About five taxis stopped in front of him but refused to give him a ride on Saturday. "I had to wait for 40 minutes in the rain before I finally got a taxi that day," he said.