The parking lot, opened to the public on September 17, 2002, helps passengers hail taxis conveniently. However, passengers getting on or off taxis must pay two yuan each time in parking fees for the taxis.

In a bid to protect the benefits of both investors and the public, Shanghai and the Zhabei District government began to negotiate with investors as of the Spring Festival this year, and have finally reached an agreement to buy back the parking lot from investors for 231 million yuan.

A total of between 8,000 and 10,000 vehicles rush in and out of the underground parking lot every day, and after the parking fee is canceled, the car flow is predicted to reach 12,000 every day, said an industry analyst.

"We will strengthen our management after the charge is removed so that cabbies reluctant to bring passengers to nearby destinations will be punished," said a dispatcher.

(Shanghai Daily November 16, 2004)