Illegal taxi drivers will be fined one to 200,000 yuan, according to a draft of urban public transport rules.

Information Center Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday unveiled the rules and started to collect public feedbacks on the regulations.

The draft says enterprises or individuals must get legal licenses to operate taxis and they must meet taxi, capital, park and driver conditions. Those illegal taxi drivers, who do not have taxi licenses, will be punished and forced to cease operating.

The draft called for more investment to set up more bus stations and upgrade public traffic networks to ensure citizens' have access to a safe and convenient traffic service.

The draft also seeks to strengthen the safe construction and running of subways and railways. The construction companies are required to be equipped with qualified staff and first aid facility to take the responsibility of traffic security. Once a natural disaster or accident occurs, the company in charge should carry out emergency plans immediately and report the incident to relevant authorities. 
 
(CRI April 12, 2007)