The Shanghai government information office said yesterday that notices on a special hotline which helps foreign passengers communicate with cabbies will be put on in local taxis tomorrow.

The government Foreign Service Hotline (962288) will offer the service in a campaign initiated in preparation for the increase in foreign visitors to Shanghai when World Expo starts next May, city government spokesman Chen Qiwei said yesterday. "Most local cabbies do not speak English and the situation will not improve in the short term," Chen said.

Foreigners could ring the hotline on their mobiles or make the connection via the taxis' radio system.

The hotline has been in service for some years and workers can speak a number of languages including English, Japanese, French and German. Some staff will also be trained to learn short cuts on Shanghai roads to help foreign taxi passengers.