Beijing apps help get passengers out of a jam

Beijing's taxi booking center has integrated eight smartphone applications into its service, while Shanghai is considering copying the model.

Starting July 1, all requests sent through the eight partner apps go to central dispatch in Beijing, which forwards them to drivers.

Tipping functions on all eight have been removed to regulate the industry, and apps not included in the service are banned in the capital, the authority said, announcing that it will unveil its own app in the near future.