Can't Use An App For That: Taxi and Hospital Apps Banned

Beijingers will be standing in long hospital queues again and waiting longer for taxis, following a ban on apps that allow commercialization of these processes.

Following in the footsteps of southern city Shenzhen, Beijing municipal officials announced that the bidding feature of taxi-booking apps like Didi Dache would be banned. Unlike booking taxis via their companies, which usually adds a fee of RMB 3-5, the app allowed users to indicate how much they would add to the metered fare in order to encourage drivers to pick them up over other passengers. Regulators indicated they would launch a new, trial booking system on June 1, which would include an app, Technode reported. Users will be charged a booking fee of RMB 8 for cars reserved four or more hours in advance, and RMB 5 within four hours.

In other electronic queuing news, Beijing officials also banned an app from China Internet giant Alibaba's Taobao, which allowed users to make schedule visits at hospitals in 18 cities electronically, rather than having to go to the hospital in person and stand in line – just to make an appointment. Although users may continue to do so at private hospitals participating in the system, regulators do not permit "commercial integration" of this type with public hospitals, Today reported.

While all of this is occurring under the guise of "reform," Beijingers are still on the losing end. For example, with taxi fares set to rise this summer, a passenger booking a car four hours or more in advance will pay RMB 22 – base fare of RMB 13 plus RMB 1 fuel surcharge plus RMB 8 booking fee before the vehicle even moves. The price rise is making taxi drivers happy, but the core issue for consumers is taxi availability. Increased availability may only come from more Beijingers turning away from cabs and biting the bullet on a bicycle or Beijing Metro card.

Photo: thechinaguide.com