2 Shanghai Taxi Drivers Fired Over Fare Scam

Two taxi drivers in Shanghai have been fired and blacklisted after overcharging passengers and transferring them mid-journey during a trip from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

According to a report by Xinmin Evening News, two passengers who arrived on April 17 took a taxi from the airport to a hotel in Xuhui District. About 10 minutes into the ride, the driver allegedly stopped and asked them to switch to another taxi. Upon reaching their destination — about 50 kilometers away — the second driver charged 800 yuan (US$117), far above the typical fare of roughly 200 yuan.

When a friend of the passengers requested a receipt, the driver reportedly returned to the vehicle and suddenly sped off, grazing the person's knee before fleeing against traffic. Police later identified both vehicles involved.

The taxi company confirmed the drivers were its employees and said both have been dismissed and barred from the industry. It has refunded the full fare and issued an apology.

Under local regulations, taxi drivers must use meters and provide official receipts. Violations such as fare bargaining, refusing to use meters or transferring passengers without authorization can result in fines, suspension or license revocation.

Despite these rules, similar complaints persist. The following day, the same passengers reportedly encountered another driver near the Bund who refused to use the meter and instead quoted a fixed price.

Industry observers told Xinmin Evening News that such practices are often driven by profit incentives and loopholes in airport queue systems. Some drivers bypass meters to charge higher flat rates, while others exploit short-distance compensation rules by transferring passengers mid-journey to re-enter queues more quickly.