After the introduction of increased taxi fares at the weekend
it's being suggested many Beijingers will simply be giving the
thumbs down signal when hailing a cab.
"I'll try to use taxis as little as possible," said Li Guang,
27, a local newspaper editor. "I can find alternatives, like the
subway, bus or bike."
On Saturday the price per kilometer after four kilometers rose
from 1.6 yuan (20 US cents) to 2 yuan (25 US cents).
For some, like Wang Ji, an outdoor activity center employee, the
impact will be less noticeable.
"I will not be affected by the new fares as my company
reimburses office-hour rides," he said. "But I would think twice
about taking a taxi if my company stopped fully reimbursing
fares."
However, others said the price hike would have no impact on
their daily lives. Julia Grindell, magazine editor of the British
Chamber of Commerce, is one of them. "Taxis help me much to
organize my work and appointments," she said. "They are important
to me so I cannot imagine my life without them."
Two days after the fare increase more than 4,000 taxis in the
capital have been labeled with the "2 yuan" tags, according to a
source with the Beijing Transportation Management Bureau.
Due to difficulties in updating all electronic meters and price
tags attached to the rear windows it will be a month before all
63,600 of the city's taxis will be charging the new fares.
Some cab drivers were unhappy with the rise, saying higher
prices meant fewer passengers.
"I have to compete with stylish Hyundais for customers,"
complained Zhang Guojie, 33, a 1.4 liter Citroen driver. "The fare
hike means I will lose customers but when my car is replaced with a
new 1.8 liter low emission model I believe more people may accept
it."
The price rise, explained the Beijing Municipal Commission of
Development and Reform, was a direct result of continued oil price
rises.
On April 26 at a hearing on the issue 56 percent of those
represented voted for the adoption of the price rise amid heated
opposition.
(China Daily May 22, 2006)