Volunteers from a ride-sharing service have called for government support in extending their service in the capital.

Shunfengche non-profit foundation, an NGO providing free rides to those in need, announced Tuesday at an event at the China Millennium Monument that they have designed a sticker for drivers who participate in the scheme to affix to their cars, to differentiate them from illegal taxis. Liu Kunming, director of Shunfengche, said they have asked municipal traffic authorities to recognize their drivers are providing a public service, and allow them to use the bus lanes, be excluded from license plate restrictions and can have toll-free highway access.

Previously, the organization has mostly helped offer rides to people who need to go home during Chinese holidays, although some have already been offering rides in the capital.

"We are a free voluntary organization. All our drivers are from different social backgrounds," he said.

Liu said that they oppose those who attempt to make money out of this service under their name.

"People need to give us their ID card and license plate information to become a member," he said.

Currently, there are over 20,000 voluntary members in Beijing. People can access the service via their website, text message, and mobile application. Some volunteer drivers have a regular commuting route, others offer rides on one-off journeys.

Guo Jingli, who works in media, is a Beijing resident who joined Shunfengche a year ago. He said that sometimes, traffic police accuse him of being an illegal taxi if he picks up someone from the roadside, or accepts money from a passenger.

"Sometimes, those I offered rides  to insisted on sharing the cost of gas," he said. He added that he did not think the new sticker would help.

"I'd still be afraid of being fined by the police," he said.

An employee from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, surnamed Yan, said that the government encourages free public services such as ride sharing.

"When a traffic officer fines you, they need evidence to prove that the service takers are paying for the service," he said.

"The driver must also offer the service purely for money-making purpose," said Yan. He agreed that the current ride-sharing service is hard to be defined in law enforcement terms and so perhaps changes to the city's traffic rules are needed.

Yan noted that they would also consider if free ride-sharing has made a huge contribution to ease the traffic and improve the environment before drafting a supportive policy.

"If the contribution is proved to be substantial, there will surely be more policy support for their services," he said.