Harrowing Hail: One Beijing Mom Recounts an Uber Trip Gone Wrong

The Minister of Transportation, Yang Chuantang, held a press conference on Monday. Through his statements, he clearly showed that the Ministry monitors the successes of Didi (滴滴), Shenzhou (神州), and Uber. The Minister encourages and applauds the applications’ efficient sourcing of traditional taxis, car sharing, and carpooling. He does not, however, approve of illegal taxis, also known as black taxis (黑车). 

The reasons for the limitation of any type of taxi is to continue to encourage city travelers toward greener options and to keep the taxi traffic capped at eight percent within big city limits. Black taxis are less easily monitored and do not pay the registration and tax fees required for legal operation.

Unfortunately for Elaine* and her seven-year-old son, Boden*, the Ministry started implementing this plan to hammer down all black taxi operations in late February. Elaine shared her story with us on the condition of anonymity, since the authorities and the driver have her information.

To read the remainder of this story please head to our sister site beijingkids.

Photo: Thomas Leth-Olsen (Flickr)