Ministry says no to private drivers in app taxi services

Passenger safety must come first as the battle for fares goes on

China's Ministry of Transport has said that Uber-like taxi services cannot use private car owners because of concerns about passenger safety and security.

The ministry noted that the car pick-up services, which are operated through mobile phone apps, connect passengers to third-party companies' drivers. This, the ministry said, blurred the boundary between traditional taxi services and car hire businesses.