Taxi Fares Set to Rise this Week

Dan Edwards | Nov 23, 2009 11:57 am | 10 comments | 3073 reads



The Global Times reported last month that taxi fares in Shanghai were rising as a result of oil price hikes. Now it looks like it’s Beijing’s turn.

Two weeks ago China Daily reported a fare rise in Beijing was in the works, but at that stage, “The government refused to reveal when the new pricing system would take effect.”

A small note in China Daily’s “Beijing Bites” column this morning states:
“Taxi passengers will have an additional 1 yuan added to their fares from Wednesday [November 25], the Beijing Youth Daily reported. Passengers who take a journey under 3 km - within which the fare is 10 yuan - do not have to pay the surcharge. When the journey is longer than 3 km, passengers need to pay an extra 1 yuan per journey.”

The Global Times print edition (page 3) also reported the increase this morning. In addition to the surcharge information, the Global Times article states; “A special invoice for the one yuan oil surcharge will also be given to the passenger. A sign that says there is a surcharge will be put above the passenger seat.”

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tpdothatthang's picture tpdothatthang Submitted by Guest on Thu, 11/26/2009 - 10:17

And what's with some companies charging 1rmb at 2.5km and then another at 3km, then another for each 0.5km?! Fine that at 3km I'm paying the correct 12rmb, but I should be entitled to ride for 2.99km and still only pay 10rmb, or 3.99km and only pay 12rmb.

Good thing I'm not so cheap, otherwise I'd be liable to go and bitch about it on some internet forum.

shawntryon's picture shawntryon Submitted by Guest on Thu, 11/26/2009 - 07:27

Dao_of_the_Flip-flop wrote:
Jerry wrote:
Judging from the way some taxi meters mysteriously jump an extra kuai at the last minute

Over 5 years here, and I have never seen that happen.

I've been here for six and a half years and yes it happens quite often, better keep your eyes open a little more.

The best though is when you tell them to take a certain route and they agree and confirm the route and then take a different and longer way.

Live, love and be happy.

Words of wisdom:
If you are sitting on grandmas knee and she says "Pull my finger", DON'T DO IT no mater how much money she offers ya.

Jerry's picture Jerry Submitted by Guest on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:10

I've read (I forgot from where, unfortunately) that there are shops that sell jigged meters designed to tack on an extra kuai to unscrupulous cabbies - they're apparently very inexpensive to purchase

Jerry Chan, Digital Marketing & Content Strategy Director

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:04

Dao_of_the_Flip-flop wrote:
Jerry wrote:
Judging from the way some taxi meters mysteriously jump an extra kuai at the last minute

Over 5 years here, and I have never seen that happen.

happens to me at least 1/4 of the time. I ask taxi to pull over, reach for my wallet, pull out the change and as I am handing it to him, meter has gone up by 1.

BTW, how the hell does the meter go up, anyhow? It confuses the hell out of me.

RMB 10 = first 3 kilometers
RMB 1 = for every 5 mins of waiting/driving wicked slow time

Let's assume no waiting time and I'm riding in a cab.

At 3km, the meter goes to 11.
at what mileage does the meter go to 12?

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Jerry's picture Jerry Submitted by Guest on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 14:05

Judging from the way some taxi meters mysteriously jump an extra kuai at the last minute, I'd say some cab drivers in this town have been tacking on this "surcharge" for some time already

Jerry Chan, Digital Marketing & Content Strategy Director

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 13:51

oh great. a surcharge that's not actually reflected on the meter?

look for Global Times' headlines next week to be "Rash in Taxi Passenger/Driver Fights Paralyzes Beijing"

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

http://astore.amazon.com/truerunmedia-20

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