Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    ILLEGAL taxi services involving e-bikes at Metro stations, checkpoints, bus stops and in business areas has dropped significantly as of yesterday as the crackdown on e-bikes enters its third week.

    During a check yesterday, police impounded 1,001 e-bikes, e-trikes and motorcycles and detained 78 people.

    At the intersection of Xinzhou Road and Fuqiang Road, which was plagued by illegal services, the vehicles were hard to find.

    “In the first week, we impounded 30 vehicles in one morning, but today, we investigated only eight e-bikes for illegal service,” said Lin Guizhong, a deputy unit chief at the Shenzhen Port Traffic Police Brigade.

    A driver surnamed Zeng was fined 2,000 yuan (US$308) and had his e-bike impounded.

    “I know about the city’s action against illegal bikes, but I have no choice because I have to make a living. For a ride of 3 kilometers, Zeng charged five yuan. He said he could earn 3,000 yuan a month.

    At the Futian Bonded Zone, which has no Metro or bus services, commuters had to get off at Yitian Metro Station before walking nearly 2 kilometers to the bonded area.

    Illegal e-bike taxi service used to be rampant near the Metro station and around 20 e-bike drivers usually congregated near the Metro exit. Now no e-bike taxis wait at the station.

    Police remain firm on tackling illegal e-bikes, though they have given a grace period, allowing courier service companies to replace vehicles with vehicles that meet national standards before April 15.

    “For vehicles in the courier industry — either registered with police or not — we won’t impound vehicles for the time being unless the drivers violate rules by driving against traffic or driving in vehicle lanes,” Lin said.

    Shenzhen has about 55,000 delivery people working in the courier industry.

    Police will allow an extra 5,000 e-bikes to be used by the industry. The quotas will be distributed by the industry association according to their needs.

    At the Yunda Courier Service Co., five deliverymen shared one vehicle.

    “The quotas are limited and we are purchasing more qualified e-bikes and will apply for more quotas as soon as possible,” said Tian Hao, an office director at the company.

    The crackdown on illegal bikes has forced the SF Express Courier Service Co. to ration e-bikes at its service stations.