Taxi reformers in Beijing have done it again. This time, they're trying to do something about the high off-meter fares and forced carpools for those unlucky passengers coming from the airport. Last Thursday, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport enforced a regulation that says taxi companies must respond to commuter complaints within 15 days. The penalties for drivers could be pretty steep, according to the China Daily:
A taxi company could be fined as much as 28,000 yuan ($4,540) if the number of complaints filed by passengers against its drivers in six months is three times, or higher than the average.
Now that you have someone to complain to, make sure you grab your receipt and take down the name of the driver's ID before the end of your journey. Better yet, don't bother haggling to begin with – find yourself another ride. If you don't have many bags, the Airport Express will get you to downtown for RMB 25; the shuttle bus that stops at various points around the city is only RMB 16.
We hope that this new regulation will be another step towards making it easier to get a fair ride in Beijing, especially alongside June reforms, price hikes, and app moderation. What will they think of next before we start seeing some results?
Ozsteve53 wrote:So for the sake of $2.50 you did a real good impression of an arrogant foreigner . Hence the well known term "Ugly American." Such an apt description .
at no time does the above poster indicate that they are foreign (let alone American). In fact, contextually you could conclude the poster is just as likely to be Chinese as foreign.
Your comment does a real good impression of being judgemental without facts. Hence the term "jumping to conclusions"
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Yes there are many cab drivers who need to be taught a lesson. In addition to fines, the BJ govt should consider making it mandatory for taxi companies to provide not only custoemr oriented and location knowledge training to many of these drivers, even those who have been driving for many years (like continue education).
There should be a public record of names of drivers who were rude and predatory.
Let me recount a story: Two January ago, I hailed a taxi from my girlfriend's apartment at Chaoyang Men to Xidan. Normally, ChangAn Avenueto Xidan is the direct route, and take usually cost us between RMb 29-31 (exclu the 2RMB gasoline surcharge). For those of you who knows Bj better, Chaoyang Men locate on the east side along subway line 6 (near the current Qing Nian Lu station).
Now, when I told this driver to use Chang An avenue, he said he would go another route. Before agreeing, I asked if the route he intend upon taking is faster than the route that I normally take. If it is, then he is can take that route.
He answered yes, but guess what. He took me north, and then west along 2nd ring Road, and got off at Gu-Lou-Da-Jie. For all foreignhers out there, Gu-Lou-Da-Jie (Bell and Drum Tower) is one of the most congested roads at ALL times of day. During peak hours, it will take you 20 yuan to travel 80 meters.
When he got to Gulou, I immediately realize he was trying to scam me. I said nothing until we amost got to see where the cab fare was about RMB50. I calmly told the driver "Sifu, normally it cost me between 20-31 yuan to get to Xidan n ChangAn Avenue. I had asked if the route you are taking will be shorter than mine. You said yes. Now, NO ONE takes Gulou Dajie because we all know that that is one very congested route. SO, I am only going to give you 35 RMB, without a receipt, which is more than you deserve."
He refused and insisted that I pay me the meter fare. I said no, and that we can call his supervisor on the phone. He wanted me to pay the fare, and file a complain if I like later. I know when I do that,, nothing is going to happen, and i insisted that we call his supervisor on the spot, or either I will get off without paying." (I have done that twice when the drivers did not take the route I wanted. You must learn to know BJ streets and shortcuts so that you wont be taken for a ride. Otherwise, it will be harder for you.
In the end, despite his threatening vocal gestures, he had no choice (it was amost peak hours, and any delay means he will earn less). He gave me the number and when the supervisor got online, I explained the situation to him. The supervisor asked that I gave my cell to him. The driver had thought it was another supevisor that he knew (he called him brother) but I heard that supervisor said "Now, I agree with what she says and I do not want you to give me any trouble You will acceot 30 yuan from the lady, give her a receipt, and be on your way. " The driver tried to explain, but the supervisor just hang up.
I immediately take out the 30yuan and get my receipt and be on my way. He of course was cursing, Served him right, and there are JUST and FAIR supervisors in BJ after all.
That made my day!
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