In late January, the city mandated that taxi drivers wear uniforms and use Shanghai blue seat covers. Now, as April approaches, how has this rule been enforced? A reporter recently conducted surprise inspections of several taxis to find out. The results were mixed—driver compliance varied, enforcement proved challenging, and the implementation of the uniform policy faced significant obstacles.
Support
New Seat Covers and Uniforms Have Been Issued
A few days ago, the reporter contacted the Municipal Bureau of Transportation. A representative explained that the driver's uniform is a symbol of the industry and company image. However, due to lax management, many companies neglected the requirement, and most drivers had not worn overalls for a long time. Recently, however, companies have started issuing uniforms. By January 30th, 16 taxi companies had completed the preparation of uniforms for their drivers. Additionally, some companies have allocated 1,341 taxis with new blue seat covers—two per taxi—and require daily cleaning. In addition, since the service supervision cards for drivers had become worn, the relevant departments have reissued standardized numbers for each company’s drivers. These are now labeled with English letters followed by sequential numbers. So far, 2,045 such cards have been issued.
Regret
Changing Seat Covers Has Been Full of Challenges
On the morning of March 28th, the reporter took a taxi from Hongshan Road in Xiashan to Jianxin East Road. The driver was wearing a pale blue uniform and seemed refreshed. When asked if he had to wear the uniform every day, he replied, “I wear it most of the time.â€
However, during recent inspections of more than 20 taxis from companies like Dongli, Xinhao, Nanjiang, Second Bus, and Dacheng at the intersection of Haibin Avenue and 422 Hospital, few drivers were seen wearing uniforms. Implementing the new dress code proved difficult. When asked about the new rules, drivers gave various responses: “I didn’t know there was such a rule,†“I wear it inside, you can’t see it,†or “I’m wearing my work clothes.â€
The reporter also noticed that only half of the taxis had blue seat covers. Drivers admitted that washing them once a day was unrealistic. “It usually takes a few days before we wash them,†one driver said.
Driver Perspective
Companies Should Help Cover Some Clothing Costs
During the interviews, some drivers supported the idea of uniforms. “This is a standard practice in the industry. Uniforms and seat covers have improved the image of our profession,†said one driver who was well-dressed. He joked, “In big cities, all brothers wear uniforms. If you add white gloves, it feels like a luxury car.†He personally felt that wearing shirts, a tie, and gloves made him feel more professional when serving passengers.
Others, however, expressed concerns about the cost. “Buying seat covers, six blue shirts, and winter workwear is very expensive for us,†one driver said. “We hope the company can help cover some of these costs.â€
Passenger Views
The Unified Look Should Be City-Wide, Not Just Company-Based
While drivers had mixed reactions, passengers generally supported the idea of a unified dress code. They agreed that it would prevent “the dark fish†effect and create a more professional appearance. However, some passengers pointed out that the current uniform system is still inconsistent across different companies.
Miss Yang, a passenger, noted that there are 16 taxi companies in the city, each with its own style of uniform. “Although they are consistent within each company, they look different to the public,†she said. “I hope the authorities will design uniforms with Zhanjiang elements and promote the city’s image so that all taxi drivers in the city can look neat and professional.â€
Some people also believe that improving enforcement requires stronger supervision. However, due to the nature of the taxi industry, where drivers are often on the road, effective monitoring remains a challenge.
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