Within the next three years, Beijing's taxi industry would eliminate the twin problems of a typical taxi's bad interior condition and poor outside appearance. It would upgrade the overall performance of the industry to meet the requirements of a good service provider for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The three-year "Quality Program for Olympic Games" of Beijing's taxi industry was launched March 9. The industry implemented a licensing system to raise the threshold for new enterprises and relevant staff to enter the industry, changing its tradition of only "entry" without "elimination". A department of "withdrawal" would be set up to deal with phasing out unqualified companies and drivers.

Within this year, Beijing would replace over 30,000 taxis, accounting for over half of the city's fleet. At that time, small, worn-out, dirty old taxis would be basically retired from service. Beijing's taxis would take on new looks when the Olympic Games starts in 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2005)