Beijing airport warns against use of taxi apps  

Passengers stands in long lines waiting for taxis on the last day of the Spring Festival holiday.

(ECNS) -- Passengers and taxi drivers have been asked not to use taxi-hailing apps at Beijing Capital International Airport, China National Radio (CNR) reports.

On the last day of the Spring Festival holiday, travelers returning by plane found themselves stuck in long lines waiting for taxis, CNR said.

More than 500 passengers stood in the freezing cold with waiting times as much as an hour.

A reporter at the airport used a taxi-hailing app to contact a cab, which came to pick him up in less than a minute.

Huo, the taxi-driver, told the reporter that using taxi-booking apps has became popular among drivers, as they can help drivers and passengers make deals for rides in a short time. Drivers also can choose passengers according to their destinations, he added.

The reporter found that more than 100 drivers near the airport were using the app.

But the airport said taxi apps are not allowed, as they "disturb the normal order." Taxi drivers will be fined if they do not wait in specified areas for passengers, a staffer said.