Economic Observer Online
Feb 28, 2012
Translated by Zhu Na
Original Article: [Chinese]

The Chongqing Daily reported this morning that 60 million yuan will be spent installing the city's 11,400 taxis with recording devices and video cameras.

"Recently, we have received many complaints about disputes between taxi drivers and passengers, but more often than not, it is too difficult to obtain evidence," said Chen Weidong (陈卫东), an official from the city's Traffic Law Enforcement Team.

After camera are placed into the city's fleet of cabs, both drivers and passengers will be monitored and officials will have evidence to rely upon when adjudicating disputes.

In cases of taxi drivers being robbed, access to the recordings will help police to track and arrest criminals.

Mr. Chen also added that the installation of cameras does not violate people's privacy, as taxis, like buses and banks, are considered by officials to be public places.

In addition to surveillance equipment, cabs will also be fitted with a device that confirms the identity of the driver.

All drivers will require an electronic pass or certificate which they will need to insert into the meter in order to be able to operate their vehicle.

Mr. Chen also noted that the new technology will be able to record, "how many kilometers, how many passengers, how much each passenger is charged and where the cab has been driven," which will help encourage drivers to avoid detours and mean that they are less likely to cheat customers.

According to a Chongqing Daily report from Dec 2007, Chongqing began to pilot the installation of cameras in cabs over 4 years ago, at that time they hoped to install cameras in all cabs over the following two to three years.

In related news, Xinhua News Agency is reporting that three central government ministries announced yesterday that as of March 2012, they plan to launch an overhaul of the system under which taxi drivers across the nation are employed.

The shake up of the existing "contract" system that involves cab drivers repaying a certain amount of money each month to the taxi companies that employ them, often with little in the way of social insurance or set holidays, is expected to take 2 years and will be gradually introduced across the country.

According to the announcement, taxi drivers will engage in collective wage negotiations with the taxi companies to work out detailed arrangements in relation to social insurance, wages, holidays and the amount they're required to pay to the taxi companies on a monthly basis.

Links and Sources
Chongqing Daily: 主城出租车全部要装录音摄像设备 
Chongqing Business News: 防出租车宰客 年内装摄录装备
Chongqing Daily: 1200辆出租车年内安装摄像头 夜间行车更安全
Xinhua News Agency: 三部门：出租车份儿钱将可集体协商 休息日减免