Study in Beijing Essentials- Learn about Taxis

Taxis are the default mode of transportation for most foreigner students in Beijing. Piloted in shifts by 130,000 generally honest, friendly and opinionated drivers, taxis are relatively convenient and agreeable, if not always swift, conveyances. There are some 67,000 cabs in Beijing, which makes the 12,000 taxis in New York City look like chump change. The flag fall rate is HMB10 for the first three kilometers, RMB 2 for each subsequent kilometer. A long-distance surcharge applies once the ride exceeds 15km, subsequent kilometers are charged at one and a half times the normal rate. There's also a night rate: after 11pm, the fare begins at RMB ll and increases by RMB 3 per kilometer after the first three kilometers.




Cabs are also where many visitors form their first impressions of Beijing, and as such have became the objects of several Olympic image enhancement campaigns. A few years ago, Beijing's municipal government decreed that all drivers ought to study English before the Games, and while you may come across an occasional enthusiast, most drivers still draw a blank at the English words "Forbidden City." ln the spring of 2007, the authorities unveiled new regulations governing the behavior and appearance of the city's cabbies. Some of these rules, notably the bans on smoking and eating in taxis and injunctions that drivers avoid consuming pungent food before work (e.g. enough garlic to slay a vampire), mean more pleasant rides for passengers. Others, such as those banning male drivers from having shaved heads or long hair, and those preventing female drivers from dyeing their hair or wearing big earrings, have met with derision.

As the Olympic Games finished, the city's taxi cab brigades have upgraded. Most of the older cabs have replaced with new car models —conforming to higher emission standards and equipped with GPS — so that even a first day driver from the nether regions of Fangshan (房山)District will be able to figure out how to reach your destination.

Despite their impressive numbers, cabs seem increasingly hard to find during rush hour or at the first sign of rain, snow or sand. It will be even more arduous if, as announced, the cab numbers are reduced. Luckily, you rarely need to worry about your physical safety in a taxi, since Beijing's endless traffic jams keep the most "impulsive" drivers in check. And in case you just arrived from Mars, make sure the photo on the dashboard license matches the face of your driver and that s/he engages the meter (打表da biao). Tips are not expected, but passengers are responsible for paying toll fees — generally the driver will pay the toll and add it to the bill when you reach your destination. If you're good at losing your stuff, get a receipt (发票fapiao, which lists the car's ID number and company phone number), and you'll be able to track it down.

Beijing Taxi Dispatching Center They can't directly send a driver to your house, but will alert all taxis with GPS in the vicinity of your exact location about your request for a taxi. (6837 3399)

Bejiing Yinjian Taxi Company The biggest taxi company in Beijing, owning 18 percent of all Beijing cabs. Dial their hotline and they will try to notify their drivers of your thirst to be transported. (96103)

Complaints

The Beijing Bureau of Communications Takes complaints concerning taxis, minibuses or other vehicles. No operator, but an English record- ing that gives instructions for faxing your complaint — which of course will mitigate your anger right away. (6835 1150, fax 6831 5960)

Chauffeured Cars If you wish to travel like Yao Ming, you can hire a chauffeured car from one of the following companies.

ASM Chauffeur and Tour Services Pre-arranges transportation in cars or buses driven by English—speaking drivers. Airport pick-up and delivery service, chauffeur service (hire by the day) and personal guide service available.

1003, CIT/C Bui/ding, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5166 1575)

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