Shanghai will open a taxi hotline for the World Expo on April 15.

The hotline 96822, operated by the Dazhong Call Center, is supported by 4,000 taxis from Dazhong, Qiangsheng, Bashi, Haibo and Jinjiang taxi companies, said Yang Guoping, chairman of the Shanghai Dazhong Transportation Group.

Related readings:  Shows at Expo Park will all be free  Leaf concept car unveiled at Shanghai Expo  PBOC to issue new commemorative coins for Expo  Security guards to monitor buses during 2010 Expo

The five companies have joined hand to set up a united committee to manage the center.

Yang said an Expo taxi valued at 160,000 yuan has five seats with an Expo logo and patterns of the China Pavilion and the Oriental Pearl Tower on it.

Tourists can book Expo taxis by dialing 96822 to reach the Expo's controlled area which can't be accessed by other taxis, he said.

All the Expo taxis have been equipped with the Asia's most advanced GPS devices to serve customers better.

Yang said Dazhong has invested more than 17 million yuan upgrading its call center which now has 120 operators with 20 per cent able to speak English and Japanese.

All the drivers have received four months of special training to meet Expo's requirements, he said.