News reports have claimed that the taxi fares in China are set to rise. The actual official rise in the fares has not been announced though. According to the latest reports, passenger will now have to pay 15 yuan for a trip within 3 kilometers and an additional 2.40 yuan for every kilometre beyond 3 kilometers.
The fare will increase if the trip is made in the night and if the distance exceeds 15 kilometers. Moreover, certain measures will be implemented to address the problem of the shortage of taxis in Beijing. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, along with other departments, held an internal forum on April 9, 2013 regarding the issue. The advisors and the deputies discussed the problem with the passengers across the city.
Over the past ten years, the city of Beijing has been facing the problem of a shortage of taxis, which has remained at 66,000, whereas the permanent population has doubled from 10 million to 20 million. For many years, the taxi fares have remained the same, despite a fuel surcharge as well. The decision on the fares for taxis will be decided, after a public meeting has been held.
On the other hand, a unified taxi telephone booking system will also be launched soon and more than 200 taxi companies will be managed together.
