Shanghai will ban the use of taxi-hailing apps during rush hours after controversies over the software pointed to it disturbing market order and impeding social justice.

The city's transportation authorities called for an urgent halt of on-demand cab-booking mobile apps during daily peaks from 7:30 am to 9:30 am, as well as 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, in an announcement issued on Wednesday.

Effective from March 1, taxi drivers that reject roadside hailing customers are subject to fines worth 200 yuan ($32) and 15 days' suspension of their work permit.