Struggling taxi drivers may get refund of monthly fees

The transport authority in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, may drop the monthly fees imposed on taxi drivers to help them cope with the competition they face from taxi-hailing apps.

Hangzhou is the first city in the country to suggest a solution to help the struggling taxi industry, which recently suffered further pressure from competition with ride-sharing services.

Taxi management companies have to pay local traffic authorities for the right to operate their businesses. The cost is actually paid by the taxi drivers and deducted from their monthly income.