Chongqing to add gas stations, ban hidden traffic cameras

THE Chongqing traffic authority plans to add 14 gas stations and ban hidden traffic cameras as a solution to settle the city’s cabbie strike.The traffic authority will announce all locations of traffic monitoring cameras in the city next week, Chongqing Evening Newspaper reported today. Chongqing now has about 700 registered cameras.As for the mobile cameras used by traffic police, police assistants or volunteers, a billboard notice stating "mobile cameras are working ahead" must be set up with the operatorTaxi drivers complained about traffic fines, especially ones generated from hidden cameras. Hidden cameras catch more traffic violations since drivers are not aware of their location and are common in many cities.Chongqing Traffic Administration head Chen Honggang admitted there are a few hidden cameras. Once the rule is implemented, anyone caught shooting traffic violations with an undisclosed camera location will be punished or even fired, Chen said.Insufficient supplies of natural gas, the fuel for most taxis in the city, and competition from unlicensed cabs were two other complaints leading to the strike. The extra gas stations will bring the city’s total to 60 although most are far from downtown areas. Cabbies had to queue for several hours to fill their tanks, the report said.The administration said it aimed to add 14 more gas stations in the city although it will be difficult. It will also launch a crackdown on unlicensed cabs soon.Other measures the administration will take include opening more downtown pick up spots and give oral education rather than fines for minor traffic violations.