Beijing has seen tremendous change and growth over the past decade. But taxi services in the Chinese capital are struggling to keep up. The issue topped the city's recent people's congress.

Grabbing a cab not easy in Beijing.

For most Beijingers, grabbing a cab to work can be a grueling experience.

It's eight o'clock in the morning. This lady has been waving her hands for over 20 minutes, 15 taxis passed. Three had no clients, but none stopped. This is what one might witness, during rush hour in the capital.

Reporter: Are you in service?

Driver 1: No. I'm waiting for someone else.

Reporter: Many are waiting there for taxis.

Driver 2: I've been working for the whole day. This is my time off. I need some rest.

Finally, someone is open enough to give a straight-out no.

"No one likes driving during rush hour. Yesterday a customer got out of the cab in the middle of a traffic jam. He left. But I was stuck there."

Hefty monthly charges, growing fuel prices and the threat of fines at every corner... Taxi drivers in Beijing suffer high costs and traffic congestions day in and day out. Many say that, knowing what they know now, they would never have gotten behind the wheel.

Some policy-makers have suggested increasing taxi fares, which have not changed in six years.

In 2006, Beijing taxi drivers earned 1,000 yuan more than the average Beijingers. Since then, their salaries have stagnated, while the average Beijinger's salary rose by 50%.

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