APP-BASED cab drivers who seriously violate traffic or service conduct rules will be blacklisted and punished accordingly, according to a rule released by the Shenzhen transport commission Monday to seek public suggestions.

The draft plan will grade the service of app-based bike operators into five levels, from AAAAA, AAAA, AAA, AA, A to B. The service quality of drivers will be graded into four levels from AAAA to B.

Operators above the AA level will be awarded certificates and will be allowed to post the certificate on its online business platform. Operators that are graded A for two straight years will be required to enhance internal management to improve quality. Grade-B operators will face a suspension of their business license.

In cases where an app-based driver is responsible for an accident that kills more than three people, is involved in a major instance of poor service quality, or participates in an organized event that disrupts social order, the cab administration bureau will downgrade their level and file the case with the transport commission.

Each driver will be given 20 points, and will have 1-20 points deducted based on service quality. Within a calculation year, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, app-based service platforms are advised to reduce orders dispatched to drivers with less than 10 points and organize training sessions. If the driver has less than three points, the operator must stop dispatching orders and organize at least 18 hours of training. The driver can resume service after passing examinations.

Drivers will be blacklisted if they lose all of their points and fail to participate in trainings, if they maintain a Grade B for two straight years or if their point total drops below three on two occasions.

(Han Ximin)