China bans private drivers in taxi app clampdown

WIN FOR CABBIES: China's Transport Ministry has summarily banned taxi hailing apps over concerns its drivers are not properly licensed.

SHANGHAI: China's transport ministry has banned taxi hailing apps such as Uber Technologies Inc and local rivals Kuaidi Dache and Didi Dache from using cars and drivers without taxi licences in a bid to regulate the rapidly growing sector. 

The nationwide ban comes after authorities in the Chinese city of Chongqing began investigating Uber in December over concerns that its drivers were not properly licensed.