Shanghai taxi users, how many stars do you have?

Tired of getting stood up by people who call to reserve cabs and then fail to show, Shanghai's taxi drivers will implement a customer rating system, reports the Shanghai Daily (via CRIENGLISH.com). Customers who habitually leave taxis hanging will have their phone numbers blacklisted and will end up like the rest of us, running around frantically trying to find a cab during rush hour in the rain because the taxi line at the Portman stretches all the way to California Pizza Kitchen.

After a call is made to the hot line (96965), a cab usually arrives within 10 minutes. Cabbies can be punished for arriving late or leaving too quickly without picking up the rider.

The customer rating system will give drivers the chance to only accept calls from reliable customers.

"When we have many orders coming in, we will show the drivers the callers' credit history and they can choose to pick up the one with a good record," Yao said.

He said the customer ratings are based on several criteria, but he wouldn't say exactly how they are determined. The whole system is computerized, and ratings are linked to the phone number used to book a cab.

"Customers who have a history of booking cabs are divided into five groups under the five-star rating system and the best ones will have the best chance to successfully get a ride, especially during rush hour," Yao explained

So remember this important rule the next time you book a taxi: Use someone else's phone.