In China, get in cab, name destination

Taxi passengers in China will no longer be required to name their destination before they board a vehicle, according to a new law.

Taxi drivers will not be allowed to ask any passenger where he or she wants to go before getting into the vehicle, according to new regulations that will be implemented in April next year, the Shanghai Daily reported Tuesday.

This is being done so that cab drivers cannot pick and choose destinations before the passenger gets into the vehicle, according to the nationwide rules, jointly issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, and the National Standards Committee.

Taxi drivers will also be banned from smoking or eating food with a strong smell before or during a shift.

They can also not spit or throw rubbish from the car and will be encouraged to speak in Mandarin and English, the report said.