Car-hailing services named and shamed for 'bad credit'

A total of 101 companies and 2,915 individuals working in transportation have been named and shamed for "bad credit" due to offenses against relevant rules.

Companies running the popular Internet car-hailing services Meituan and Didi were found on the list, which was published on the website of Shanghai Transportation Commission on Thursday.

Lutuan Tech, the company which runs Meituan, allegedly organized vehicles and drivers with no legal qualifications, while Didi Tech made the list for allegedly running transportation services without or beyond permit.

The companies named and shamed will face restrictions in obtaining privileged administrative services, among other penalties, according to the government.

Cai Jingyan, vice director of the road transportation bureau, said the restriction measures will remain valid for two years, but companies and individuals on the list can apply to be removed after six months if they correct the mentioned problems.

Other companies found on the same list include car rental firms, passenger transportation companies, travel agencies and logistics companies. Their offenses include not following published transportation routes, not implementing legal and administrative decisions and ignoring the ban to transport passengers between 2am and 5am.

Meanwhile, the transportation authority said companies with good records will get a boost from the government in getting more privileged services, especially in paperwork.

On the part of individuals found on the list, there are taxi drivers who allegedly used rigged meters or overcharged passenger by 100 yuan (US$15), or 100 percent, or let people with no qualifications drive their taxis. There are also employed drivers of transportation companies who allegedly broke or disturbed GPS devices in their vehicles.