WITH more tourists visiting the Bund during the summer, Huangpu District is cracking down on illegal taxis and legal taxis that overcharge or cherry-pick passengers.

From yesterday to the end of summer, local authorities, including the traffic law enforcement team and the police, will launch four inspections a week against taxi violations in the Bund, up from the previous once or twice a week.

The move is the latest in a campaign to ensure ordered taxi operations in the area popular with tourists and locals.

District director Gao Yun, responding to a journalist’s question in a radio interview on Tuesday, said authorities would crack down on such violations,

Illegal taxis and cherry-picking typically increase during peak tourist times, such as summer holidays.

The district has added six electronic police cameras along the Bund this year. And extended local traffic police service hours from 10pm to midnight to deal with the operating hours of illegal cabs.

This year, authorities have caught eight fake taxis and 22 taxis for violations such as overcharging.

The city’s traffic law enforcement team said yesterday the authority has also cracked down in other major scenic spots this summer and launched more frequent patrols. Authorities are also increasing inspections to ensure the safe transport of hazardous chemicals.