Where Have All The Taxis Gone?

Jonathan White | Sep 14, 2011 10:00 am | 57 comments | 8554 reads

According to a report from the Bureau of Transportation of Beijing, there are 67,000 registered taxis in Beijing and over 200,000 registered taxi drivers. There is no shortage of people to drive the 67,000 cabs … so where are they all?

Anecdotal evidence of taxi-related frustrations is on the rise; it seems like everybody in the office has a story about their recent struggles to hail a cab. If you are lucky enough to spot one these days, then you’ll need lotto-winning luck to get anything other than the world’s most dismissive hand wave from its driver. And this is when it’s not bad weather (and all Beijingers know that bad weather can mean as little as a couple of raindrops or being slightly breezier than normal). Or at changeover time (which seems to be about every ten minutes these days). Or at dinner time (the taxi man has to eat too).

The average working time of a Beijing taxi driver is 14 hours per day and 427 hours per month – that’s 168 hours more than legitimate working hours, and their typical wage is less than the Beijing average. We understand that cabbies don’t have the easiest job, and that there will be mitigating circumstances at certain times, but what is going on with Beijing taxis? Where have all the cab drivers gone? Is it us that’s going mad?

We’ve checked the local media and there’s been no mention of a decrease in taxi numbers. The Global Times published a story on the difficulties of getting a legal taxi outside Beijing’s railway stations but that’s nothing new. We’d expect to wait for a cab at the airport or train station or outside the NCPA after a night at the opera, but why has the supply of taxis dried up in other parts of town? Without any official comment, and nothing else to go on, all we can offer is speculation and our own observations. We’re not saying that these are causes or knock-on effects, merely things we’re noticed.

• Increase in rickshaws (especially in Sanlitun)
• Drink-driving stops at major intersections
• Unwillingness of drivers to take fares (or use the metre)
• Huge spike in fake/illegal taxi drivers

Have you noticed this phenomenon too? What do you think is going on? What are the alternatives to waiting for a cab (when there's no subway or you've no bike)?

Photo: CarTalkAsia

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SannaKse's picture SannaKse Submitted by Guest on Sun, 09/09/2012 - 08:13

They reduced the amount of taxis with 50.000 before the olympics to clean out the streets, reduce traffick and clean the air. After that it has taken it's on path. Its been 5 years and the cabs are still out of service,and probably more foreigners have come since then, so now it is really starting to show that the cabs are missing. Black cabs and rikshaws sees good business in the lack of cabs.

If I have told you I can do something, I probably can.

antfarmks5's picture antfarmks5 Submitted by Guest on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 16:50

Quote:
If you're laowai and hate the crap treatment you get, blame all the laowai here that speak crap Chinese or no Chinese at all. They are ruining it for everyone else.

My sole wish is for the laowai of this city to not become like the laowai of Shanghai. Not paying the 2-kuai gas fee cause you think you're being "cheated"? IT'S TWO F**KING KUAI! It's not just about money, either, but very much a growing sense of entitlement, as Keto11 pointed out. I have friends who happily recall stories of getting into arguments with cabbies, as if that proves they're somehow... local? And don't get me started on the drunk idiots. Cab drivers talk to one another, and when one has a very bad experience, it's only reasonable that his friend thinks twice about picking up a foreigner.

Living abroad, you can choose to propagate cultural differences or bridge them. For all our sakes, Beijing, please choose the latter.

mr. modern's picture mr. modern Submitted by Guest on Tue, 10/25/2011 - 14:41

I've been told by a few drivers recently they are specifically avoiding the east side of town (where the majority of foreigners and white collar types work). They've said the fares tend to be too low (always under RMB20, often under RMB15) and too much time is wasted in traffic (while time is factored into the price, they can go a lot further and thus make a lot more in other parts of town). The drivers have said they prefer the western or southern parts of the city where people tend to go further distances and there is less traffic.

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Mon, 10/24/2011 - 15:39

Just thought I'd ask folks if the situation is any better... I finally bowed out of the taxi waiting game three weeks ago and got a 电动车. Ah, Beijing... the love is back...

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

FreaQ_E's picture FreaQ_E Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 21:40

I know taxi drivers aren't allowed to refuse fairs, but could someone please tell them that. Recently it's become ridiculously difficult flagging down a taxi especially in popular areas. Does anyone know the reason? I've been living here almost 5 years and it's never been this difficult.

Just came back from SanYuanQiao and waited for 20 minutes outside the GateWay building on 3rd Ring Road. What annoyed me was the fact that loads of taxis with their lights on and no passengers inside drove past. I almost got a taxi four times.

The first stopped, when I went to open the door he waved his hand, being used to this I turned and walked away, a chinese couple standing close by saw this walked to the taxi and climbed in, the driver didn't bat an eyelid. I thought "maybe he likes driving around couples".

The second driver slowed down, looked at me and drove past to pick up a lady standing further down the road. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and figured that he was being chivalrous.

The third stopped, shook his head and drove further down the road before picking up three guys, one of whom was so inebriated he was being supported by the other two and had puke on his shirt - I was wearing a suit. Maybe he was being a good samaritan!

What I don't understand is the why the fourth driver stopped, looked at me and simply drove away?

I finally managed to get a taxi. When I asked the driver why he thought they wouldn't pick me up he answered "you are too handsome" - until someone gives me a better one, that's going to be my reason.

"Life's an itch. It needs to be scratched..."

Keto11's picture Keto11 Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 13:16

Niu Bi wrote:
Keto11 wrote:
Having come from a place where it is hard to get cabs (United States), I don't find the situation in Beijing too bad. It has actually gotten better for me in the last few months, it usually takes me 10-20 minutes to get a cab, as long as the road I am on is well traveled. Maybe 1 cab out of twenty I encounter will have a preference for Chinese; most of the time the Chinese I see have just as much trouble catching a cab as I do.

I think part of the problem that hasn't been discussed is people's attitudes. There is too much sense of entitlement in these comments that the Beijing cab system, of all things, will run like clockwork or reasonably well. Get real. I don't see why cabs should be the exception to the rule. Beijing runs at its own pace; you have to suck it up and adjust.

I think the various constructive suggestions are great if implemented. But having some laowai lose their sense of entitlement would also alleviate things.

A few weeks ago, I got caught in the Sanlitun cab black hole. I live about 5km away. A rickshaw driver approached me. I dismissed his advances at first, then told him where I was going, thinking that would get rid of him. To my surprise, he offered me 40rmb to get there. So I had a pleasant, if sometimes scary, 40 minute ride through the city on a mild Beijing evening. When we got to my home, the rickshaw driver immediately got another fare.

I hope you're either joking or mistakenly typed 5km. If you paid 40 kuai for a 5km ride then you're simply not too bright. And no - it's not about the money (40 kuai to you or I is dismissable) it's the principle. You got quoted that because you looked like a sucker. If you paid the 40 kuai you simply confirmed it - and made the rest of us laowais guilty of being a sucker by association.

Also - the reason people are complaining is that waiting 10-20 minutes for a cab, in the past, was unheard of. Back in the days (2003-2008 or so) when I took cabs every day both ways to and from work and on the weekends to wherever I went the only time I ever waited 10-20 minutes was when it was raining. If it wasn't raining or snowing then a cab would always be readily available in almost every neighborhood I was ever in.

Things have changed. That's why people are complaining. I don't think it has much to do with a sense of entitlement, but rather, it's stemming from the frustration of dealing with two steps back in the taxi services of this city.


I'm glad you realize that 6 bucks is nothing to me. It is totally is about how I perceive the value of my own money. I only wish I could get ripped-off as such more often. $6 to get out of the Sanlitun black hole is more than a bargain.

If the rickshaw guy made a killing, great; I'm not mad at him.

So, you feel entitled based on how things were a few years ago. That's still an entitlement complex.

joshofbass's picture joshofbass Submitted by Guest on Fri, 09/23/2011 - 21:23

I live near the 5th ring road, real cabs are rare here because taxis just don't wanna risk being stuck here for hours or paying for their own gas to go back. When I first moved here I just used heiche but now I make an effort to wait for a real cab when I can. Every time a cab gets a return fare from here it makes this place a more desirable destination. Slowly slowly...

Niu Bi's picture Niu Bi Submitted by Guest on Fri, 09/23/2011 - 18:59

Keto11 wrote:
Having come from a place where it is hard to get cabs (United States), I don't find the situation in Beijing too bad. It has actually gotten better for me in the last few months, it usually takes me 10-20 minutes to get a cab, as long as the road I am on is well traveled. Maybe 1 cab out of twenty I encounter will have a preference for Chinese; most of the time the Chinese I see have just as much trouble catching a cab as I do.

I think part of the problem that hasn't been discussed is people's attitudes. There is too much sense of entitlement in these comments that the Beijing cab system, of all things, will run like clockwork or reasonably well. Get real. I don't see why cabs should be the exception to the rule. Beijing runs at its own pace; you have to suck it up and adjust.

I think the various constructive suggestions are great if implemented. But having some laowai lose their sense of entitlement would also alleviate things.

A few weeks ago, I got caught in the Sanlitun cab black hole. I live about 5km away. A rickshaw driver approached me. I dismissed his advances at first, then told him where I was going, thinking that would get rid of him. To my surprise, he offered me 40rmb to get there. So I had a pleasant, if sometimes scary, 40 minute ride through the city on a mild Beijing evening. When we got to my home, the rickshaw driver immediately got another fare.

I hope you're either joking or mistakenly typed 5km. If you paid 40 kuai for a 5km ride then you're simply not too bright. And no - it's not about the money (40 kuai to you or I is dismissable) it's the principle. You got quoted that because you looked like a sucker. If you paid the 40 kuai you simply confirmed it - and made the rest of us laowais guilty of being a sucker by association.

Also - the reason people are complaining is that waiting 10-20 minutes for a cab, in the past, was unheard of. Back in the days (2003-2008 or so) when I took cabs every day both ways to and from work and on the weekends to wherever I went the only time I ever waited 10-20 minutes was when it was raining. If it wasn't raining or snowing then a cab would always be readily available in almost every neighborhood I was ever in.

Things have changed. That's why people are complaining. I don't think it has much to do with a sense of entitlement, but rather, it's stemming from the frustration of dealing with two steps back in the taxi services of this city.

Frenchliline's picture Frenchliline Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/22/2011 - 11:08

My boyfriend had a conversation about that with a taxi driver not long ago and it seems that the petrol price raise is linked to that, because one of the recent raise they lost more than a 1000 kwai per month in profit, at least that's what the driver told him, so apparently less and less people are bothered coz they don't make enough out of it.

Keto11's picture Keto11 Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/22/2011 - 08:09

Having come from a place where it is hard to get cabs (United States), I don't find the situation in Beijing too bad. It has actually gotten better for me in the last few months, it usually takes me 10-20 minutes to get a cab, as long as the road I am on is well traveled. Maybe 1 cab out of twenty I encounter will have a preference for Chinese; most of the time the Chinese I see have just as much trouble catching a cab as I do.

I think part of the problem that hasn't been discussed is people's attitudes. There is too much sense of entitlement in these comments that the Beijing cab system, of all things, will run like clockwork or reasonably well. Get real. I don't see why cabs should be the exception to the rule. Beijing runs at its own pace; you have to suck it up and adjust.

I think the various constructive suggestions are great if implemented. But having some laowai lose their sense of entitlement would also alleviate things.

A few weeks ago, I got caught in the Sanlitun cab black hole. I live about 5km away. A rickshaw driver approached me. I dismissed his advances at first, then told him where I was going, thinking that would get rid of him. To my surprise, he offered me 40rmb to get there. So I had a pleasant, if sometimes scary, 40 minute ride through the city on a mild Beijing evening. When we got to my home, the rickshaw driver immediately got another fare.

lroark's picture lroark Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/21/2011 - 21:53

Torana clean air sells totobobo masks now which are very comfortable and affordable. They also will deliver them.
As for riding in winter, get a pair of those bike gloves from dongjiao for ten kuai and you are set. yes, it is still pretty darn cold in January and February but worth it for sanity! bundle up!

Nidaye's picture Nidaye Submitted by Guest on Mon, 09/19/2011 - 11:28

LondonMilk wrote:
I think it may be this 'new cab' thing. I've been in about 3 new cabs in the past 2 weeks, whereas before I have never been in a noticeably new cab.
You don't even see the red Xiali cabs any more (you did see the odd one about 18 months ago)

If you will recall, a mass upgrade of cabs had occurred prior to the Olympic games. These cabs would be around 4-5 years old now, and probably due for replacement.

LondonMilk's picture LondonMilk Submitted by Guest on Mon, 09/19/2011 - 08:16

I think it may be this 'new cab' thing. I've been in about 3 new cabs in the past 2 weeks, whereas before I have never been in a noticeably new cab.
You don't even see the red Xiali cabs any more (you did see the odd one about 18 months ago)

serrot's picture serrot Submitted by Guest on Sun, 09/18/2011 - 23:10

I got into a brand new cab tonight and commented on its "shufu"ness to the driver. He said companies have been switching over many of the old cabs for new ones. He didn't seem too into my small talk so I didn't probe much further but I wonder if this is a contributing factor?

mrbeijingles's picture mrbeijingles Submitted by Guest on Sat, 09/17/2011 - 11:07

When it comes to getting around this city, it seems like you can't win. The subway doesn't cover the whole city and it closes early. Taking the bus is good because it's cheap, but the traffic is terrible and often the buses don't go where you need to go. Biking is great, but most days, it's too polluted. Walking around would be lovely, but things are so spread out and at most intersections, you are risking your life because there isn't enough time to cross the street. Not to mention, you usually have to walk a good mile just to find a crosswalk or pedestrian bridge. Finally, you can't take taxis because they are impossible to find.

For all of these reasons, it's really important that we have available taxis to get around. They are extremely useful.

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Sat, 09/17/2011 - 06:37

I've tried the Techno masks. They are great if:

1. You don't sweat
2. You like to have heavy fabric pressed tightly against your face
3. You don't need much oxygen
4. You love pressing used, filthy, sweaty, smog-impregnated filters up against your face daily

Once you begin sweating in one of those things, the breathability is significantly reduced.

Perhaps the only advantage of one of these masks is that you look reasonably cool wearing one (in a lovely "Silence of the Lambs" fashion).

For breathability and comfort I strongly recommend disposable N-95 masks from 3M

they cost about 20 kuai a piece, you use them for several days (or more, depending on how much you work out/use them), then get another. You buy them by the box or the case.

They work well, fit well, don't get sweaty as easily, and if you consider filter replacement, as cheap or cheaper than the Techno.

Here are more extensive discussions of filters:

Can't stop coughing, need a mask
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2008/01/01/Cant-stop-caughing-need-a-mask

Am I the only foreigner with a kou zhao?
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2009/11/30/Am-I-the-only-foreigner

Pollution Masks - Help!
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2009/05/13/Pollution-Masks-Help

i want to run -- what time of day generally has the best air quality -- early morning? late evening
http://www.thebeijinger.com/forum/2009/08/06/i-want-to-run-what-time-of-day-generally-has-the-best-air-quality-early-morning-lat

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

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

dwizzard86's picture dwizzard86 Submitted by Guest on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 22:10

@Bluefish and Britomart: The mask's brand name is Techno, but you also have to buy the filters for it which are made by a company called Respro. You can buy them at a bike shop called Natooke, which is in Wudaoying Hutong over by Yonghegong. There are also different types of filters. If you are riding you want to buy the kind that is for heavy physical activity. The Natooke guys will help you choose the right one. I paid around 500RMB total for the mask and filters, but my mask was more expensive because I use the biggest size, and my filters cost more. Aside from my bike, it is probably the 2nd best purchase I've made in Beijing.

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 14:37

Ha... I'm an idiot. Natooke is here in Beijing--and less than a block from me! I'm stopping by today to check out their masks--their site says it's 399 kuai. I LOVE to ride and have hated not being able to do it for years because of the pollution getting so bad...

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

britomart's picture britomart Submitted by Guest on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 12:42

Did a quick search... Looks like this might be the one dwizzard86 recommended?

http://natooke.com/en/bikes-a-rentals/product-catalogue?page=shop.product_details&product_id=253&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&pop=0

Hey, dwizzard86, know if you can get that in Beijing?

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

standards's picture standards Submitted by Guest on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 12:04

The number of people suggesting riding a bike all over the place in lieu of a cab - I'd like to see you still riding your bike across town when the bite sets in over the next few weeks

"Dis is China, you know? You don't like, you go home!"

bluefish's picture bluefish Submitted by Guest on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 11:54

In response to dwizzard86, I have to say that several of those suggestions are good. The last two are problematic, though. First, even if all the foreigners learn basic Chinese, that isn't going to help with the tourists. Second, I think most people who actually live here do at least know enough to get characters written down or texted to them. I don't know any foreigners personally who can't speak Chinese or who can't at least print out an address in characters. More of a problem is drivers who can't read (there are a lot of them) and new drivers who haven't got the foggiest idea where anything is. There are a lot of them, too. The majority of taxi drivers I talk to these days say they've only been working 2 months or less.

As for the bike, good idea though it is, the horrific pollution has to be taken into account. My flatmate used to bike to work every day. She'd get a cold some time in the fall. She didn't stop coughing and hacking and feeling poorly till spring. Once I told her she was forbidden to ride her bike...Magic! No more breathing problems, and gets over colds in a timely, normal fashion. I use to walk every day for exercise. It used to feel good. Then I noticed that my walks made me feel worse, not better. No energy, totally exhausted afterward, etc. Once I bought some serious air filters and started using the elliptical in my house instead...Magic! Total 100% improvement. If you're able to ride every day, good for you. Not everyone's bodily response to deeply breathing in pollution is so positive.

So, here's an idea. What we need is an organizing entity like thebeijinger to print up and sell some little red flags or hats with a RMB symbol on them. Then we spread through the taxi pop that anyone with one of these is saying "I tip for good service." Problem solved.

dwizzard86's picture dwizzard86 Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 19:46

Like many other posters, I too thought I was going crazy, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this. I normally bike everywhere, but I've been forced into a shitty mix of taking cabs/subway/rickshaws for the last month due to a leg injury. Back on the bike now, but definitely noticed the drop-off in service.

Some Solutions:

-Give drivers easier access to owning their own cab licenses and more incentive or commission-based pay. Obviously they don't give two shits about passing people up because whatever half-ass base salary they get paid is good enough to warrant ignoring customers.

-Have the cab companies/local government enforce the regulations that are most likely already in place. I can't imagine that there are no rules about picking up passengers or running the meter.

- For other foreigners: Learn some basic Chinese: 我想去(place) is a good start. Find the Chinese characters online and if you can't write them, do your best to scribble them yourself on a paper or card, or have a Chinese colleague text them to you.

-Invest in a good bike, helmet, and several locks so your ride doesn't get stolen, go around the traffic. You can explore more of Beijing as well, and it makes living here more fun.

-heather-'s picture -heather- Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 19:09

The other day I was waiting for a cab with a few (foreign) friends near our homes in Haidian, and although about twenty taxis drove by, none of them would pick us up. We did see them picking up Chinese passengers, though. One guy even stopped and pretended his car was broken when he realized we were foreign, and proceeded to drive a few feet up and pick up a Chinese woman. He did a U-turn on the way and gave us a thumbs-up.

One of the friends I was with shouted the guy's cabby number at him so he knew he'd be in shit later. If that's not effective, I might be tempted to take pictures/videos of them treating passengers differently based upon appearance.

alfie-s's picture alfie-s Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 15:04

Without a doubt. Its harder to get a taxi. Also, they can be difficult when they take you out of your way, all for an extra 5 or 10 kwai. I suppose we should realise how cheap they are as Ive just come back from London and the only way you could afford a cab is if youve been rioting.

alfred

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 12:50

Nidaye wrote:
It's quite simple, taxi fares have not kept up with the inflation here. And the ever worsening traffic isn't helping either - taxi drivers are a lot pickier about where they go because they don't want to waste time stuck in traffic.

a. I rarely have a cab driver turn me down when I tell him where I'm going -- what i'm experiencing is a flurry of drivers that don't even stop to ask.

b. funny, i always get the impression they'd rather be in traffic. Rare is it that I don't have my cab driver head for the most impossibly congested route possible.

Books by current and former Beijinger staffers

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

mrbeijingles's picture mrbeijingles Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 12:31

A Food Affaire Deli wrote:
Most chinese and several foreigners that i know use cabs in the morning simply arrange with a cab driver to pick them up everyday at a scheduled time. Most even pay more for this service as you dont have to wait or worry about finding a cab even in the cold and rain. I suggest everyone on this list do the same.

Unfortunately, it has come to that. It makes sense given the lack of taxis, however it shouldn't have to be this way. It's disappointing to have to arrange for taxi pickup service because there's no taxis around in an "international" city like Beijing. Is Beijing becoming a second-tier city?

Also, in reference to the additional gas fee. It would make more sense to have the fee automatically included on the price displayed on the meter rather than adding it on at the end of the ride. I'll admit, the first time I was in Beijing, I didn't know about the rule and I thought I was being cheated. After the driver hits the 3rd km, the price on the meter should change from 10 to 13 in order to include the gas fee. That might alleviate some of this confusion.

lucreziab's picture lucreziab Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 12:29

I'm going to be riding more now. I rode over to Dongzhimen today, it was so much faster. Tomorrow I will ride again.
Yesterday I had really nice drivers that were so happy I could give them directions. No hassle at all.

Nidaye's picture Nidaye Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 11:11

It's quite simple, taxi fares have not kept up with the inflation here. And the ever worsening traffic isn't helping either - taxi drivers are a lot pickier about where they go because they don't want to waste time stuck in traffic.

Nidaye's picture Nidaye Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 11:08

JingBo wrote:

Maybe the solution is to raise fares and require that drivers not refuse to take you because they don't like your destination. Isn't that supposed to be a rule anyway?

Yes, you can report drivers that refuse to take you to your destination (as long as it is within their licensed area of operation). More people should report them, it might make the drivers think twice.

JingBo's picture JingBo Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 09:38

I'd say it's even worse than depicted here. You can never just assume you'll be able to find a taxi anymore. Drivers (who are on duty and with empty cars) just pass you by about 60% of the time. Those rickshaws are a nuisance but necessary due to the lack of taxis.

Maybe the solution is to raise fares and require that drivers not refuse to take you because they don't like your destination. Isn't that supposed to be a rule anyway?

Herbz's picture Herbz Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 02:24

Yeah, I'm on a bike more often... today was the start of cold season madness for me with all kinds of meetings and people needing event gear. There's no way I'd have gotten around to them all in a car and definitely not on the Metro due to the extra walking involved. Really strange hammering past hundreds of cars that are stuck in a jam....

A Food Affaire Deli's picture A Food Affaire Deli Submitted by Guest on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 00:05

I think this year is even worse than before. With more waiting time people are just getting clever about how they use cab drivers. Most chinese and several foreigners that i know use cabs in the morning simply arrange with a cab driver to pick them up everyday at a scheduled time. Most even pay more for this service as you dont have to wait or worry about finding a cab even in the cold and rain. I suggest everyone on this list do the same.

Make every meal A Food Affaire

Leon Walsky's picture Leon Walsky Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 23:35

lucreziab wrote:
The meter at first appears to be normal and then it gets faster and faster. The guy knew I caught him, but I know the drivers are unhappy so I paid him twenty which was fair.

Muggers are unhappy too, do you just give them money!?

I demand good spices.

chinpokomaster05's picture chinpokomaster05 Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 22:34

It's not about laowai vs Chinese. There is definitely a shortage of cabs compared to 2-3 years ago. I think since the Olympic hype has died down there are less cabs. There is some relation to the number of rickshaws too. Anyone here in 2007-2008 didn't see those rickshaws in Sanlitun. There were plenty of cabs. Now the rickshaws are back, causing traffic jams in Sanlitun and annoying everyone.
Another sign that things are changing is that a black cab driver approached me at the airport yesterday. I haven't had that happen since 2006. WTH is going on!?

It's officially impossible to get a cab in Sanlitun around 9-midnight. I just won't go there unless I'm going to stay out very late. I don't get passed up by cab drivers (in general) but just finding an empty cab is the problem.

And I understand passing on foreigners. No cab driver here wants to take someone who doesn't know where he/she is going and whips out a piece of paper with an address written in pinyin. I completely understand rejecting that person. However, if the address is written in Chinese, that's another story. I know rejecting passengers is illegal here but a cab driver once told me he wants to learn English just to explain the 燃油费 to laowai because they don't know the law and think he is trying to cheat them. If you're laowai and hate the crap treatment you get, blame all the laowai here that speak crap Chinese or no Chinese at all. They are ruining it for everyone else.

Niu Bi's picture Niu Bi Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 22:23

Since buying a bike a few years ago I have rarely been in taxis. Having to rely on taxis, even back then, really brought down quality of life here. The times I do have to take a cab I dread. Sitting in traffic while those on bikes and even walking pass me by is very frustrating.

lroark's picture lroark Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 19:24

I also ride my bike, especially since having a toddler in tow is a double whammy when it comes to finding a taxi.
Every day on my way home (about 5pm) I pass by a group of 5 to 6 taxis down by the river at tong hui he playing cards. That has been the same for the last 18 months I have been taking that route. Perhaps the theory of not wanting to drive through rush hour holds some water but the logic of playing cards instead doesn't make much sense to me.
I am just thankful for the illegal taxi drivers that hang out around my complex. I'd rather not leave the house these days if I have to deal with the stress of finding a taxi. Sad because I have been in Beijing long enough to remember the beat up red Xia Li's that used to cost 1.2 kuai. Those guys were my first "Beijing Hua" teachers!

mrbeijingles's picture mrbeijingles Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 16:26

I don't think it's just a foreigner thing, because I've heard plenty of locals complain about the same thing.

Since finding a taxi is nearly impossible nowadays, I take the subway and ride my bike to wherever I'm going. The most annoying thing is when it's after 11:30pm, the subway is closed and it's raining. You might as well walk home.

Even if you do find a taxi, the frustration doesn't stop there. The attitude of the current group of taxi drivers has changed a lot. They (especially at night) now ask you where you are going first before letting you enter the cab. I have been flat-out refused a ride because the fare wasn't going to be that high.

Just to pile on the anecdotal evidence, I had a local friend who was at the airport say a taxi driver driver went ballistic, pulled over and wanted to throw him out of the cab when he found out that he was only going to Wangjing. They got into a heated argument before my friend relented and offered to pay 10rmb more than the meter said. Unfortunately, my friend didn't have the sense to write down the driver's info. In those situations, I think you have to take a picture of the taxi driver's license and report them.

I am so tired of waiting for endless minutes waiting for a taxi. I would love for something to be done or at least an explanation given, because it's mind-boggling.

mr. modern's picture mr. modern Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 16:02

A lot of drivers try to avoid the rush hour especially around populated areas like Sanlitun and Shuangjing as they are worried about the likely RMB10 fares that they'll pick up, they are looking for people with luggage that are likely making a longer trip.

The stats re drivers/# of cars and hours a driver works are kind of skewed. Very few drivers are the sole driver of a cab, usually there are 2 or more (for the newest ones, up to 3-4) and they work in daily shifts or every other day.

I've heard the city government has stepped in and has talked with the companies about these problems two weeks ago or so, we'll see if it makes a difference.

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 15:36

豆子曰 wrote:
I heard that one thing going on is that they simply can't make a living, because Beijing refuses to raise their rates - they fear that doing so will cause a wide-spread panic about inflation.

i believe that but i can't figure out how driving around not picking up passengers helps them earn a better living

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standards's picture standards Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 14:04

I'm glad others have noticed this. I thought I was going mad. A five-minute wait outside my home in Shuangjing has recently transformed into at least a 20-minute one. And yes, the number of cabs driving straight past and waving at me (in the most annoying and effeminate way) has spiked considerably.

"Dis is China, you know? You don't like, you go home!"

barbarous_chaoyang's picture barbarous_chaoyang Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 13:51

This is definitely happening. I tend to cycle everywhere these days as getting a taxi can be such a nightmare. I did have to get one the other day to take some stuff home and the taxi driver told me that drivers that work for companies are not happy with the wages and working conditions. The guy said he had his own license and so was his own boss, something that is pretty rare in Beijing. He also said that many taxi drivers were unwilling to pick up foreigners as there was extra trouble involved. He didn't really elaborate what he meant and seeing as he'd picked up a foreigner he obviously wasn't talking about himself.

I noticed this guy waiting for a cab the other day. He was a foreigner and this taxi just went straight past him and picked up a Chinese person about 10m in front of him. He wasn't standing in a restricted stopping area so there was no reason the taxi driver shouldn't pick him up.

I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for a taxi fare if it meant a better service and reasonable living conditions for the drivers. I would be worried though that their bosses would just cream off all the extra income generated.

vmomo's picture vmomo Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 13:47

I had a taxi driver tell me outright that drivers weren't picking up laowais because they don't know where they want to go - or how to say it. Whatever - with this and the traffic and the overcrowded subway I only cycle now.

CycleChina's picture CycleChina Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 13:45

I heard that one thing going on is that they simply can't make a living, because Beijing refuses to raise their rates - they fear that doing so will cause a wide-spread panic about inflation.

Also, maybe they are all stuck in traffic. I spend 45 minutes in a cab from Sanlitun to Wanda the other day, at 2pm on a Wednesday.

bluefish's picture bluefish Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 13:05

Absolutely. Last Friday we had to cancel our trip after missing the train. We couldn't get a taxi. Granted, an emergency with a friend put us out on the street looking for one about 20 minutes later than we'd planned, but we still waited 35 minutes before we got one. By then it was way too late to make it to the station. Later that day, around 2, we needed to help a friend go apartment hunting. Same thing. We spent an hour walking and waiting. Never got one, so we gave up and walked home. We did see a few people all around us getting them, though. Now that they aren't stopping unless they feel like it, you have to be super aggressive and totally uncaring of anyone else's feelings or needs in order to get the one that passes by your general area every half hour or so. And, yes, we were passed up by many of them. In fact, next time a driver gives me that dismissive wave, I'm going to punch a hole in the door as he goes by.

admin's picture admin Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 12:56

Leon Walsky wrote:
the amount of cabs passing me is ridiculous. And I see the same cabs passing Chinese people too, so it's not that.

this is definitely happening. There are cabs driving around all overt the place these days not picking up fares. I'm lucky if the 3rd or 4th empty cab stops for me.

It is not an illusion ... what the hell is up?

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Leon Walsky's picture Leon Walsky Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 11:19

I actually have noticed this lately. I live near Chaoyangmen and used to be able to walk out of my complex and be in a cab within two minutes. Now, it seems to take at least ten. And, as you say, the amount of cabs passing me is ridiculous. And I see the same cabs passing Chinese people too, so it's not that.

I think a big part of it could be the new restrictions on car ownership. Cabs are in higher demand.

I demand good spices.

lucreziab's picture lucreziab Submitted by Guest on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 10:16

I had an idiot play the fast meter trick. I was going from near the exhibition center to near Jin Bao Jie. At first it wasn't too fast then when we got close to Chaoyangmen it was well over 30. Is he joking? It should be around 21 including the gas tax. So I got angry at him and took a picture of his license on the dashboard. I paid 20 after that which was fair. What an idiot, I told him I've been in Beijing for many years and even gave him directions in Chinese. He tried to cheat the wrong person.
It has been more difficult to get a taxi. I had a hard time Saturday late afternoon.

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