Thousands of App-based Shenzhen drivers with criminal records

Thousands of drivers transporting passengers arranged through car-hailing apps in Shenzhen have been found to have extensive criminal records and history of drug offences, Xinhua news agency reported.
1,425 drivers, frequently reached through apps such as Uber and Didi, were found to have recorded drug offences. Another 1,661 drivers have extensive criminal records, and one driver is a registered patient in a psychiatric institution with a history of public displays of violent behaviour.
This week, Shenzhen’s municipal transportation committee summoned executives from online transportation network companies, including Uber, Didi, Zuche, Yongche, and ihavercar.com. “A large number of accidents, non-­local licensed cars, delayed solutions to passengers’ complaints, overlooked fair competition, and lack of gatekeepers to select qualified drivers are among the primary reasons that led to the investigation,” an initial report says.
The committee blamed the app operators for having hired, last year, at least 300,000 drivers using license plates from other cities, which resulted in increased traffic congestion. The committee also criticized the companies for having adopted a strategy that consisted of offering subsidies to both commuters and drivers, which they consider to be unfair competition.
Representatives of the aforementioned companies were asked to dismiss unqualified drivers, including those without a local license plate.
According to Shenzhen police, the city registered 756,000 infringements related to services from car-hailing apps, of which 3,653 were traffic accidents.  Staff reporter