It's Official: Beijing Taxi Fares to Rise

After speculation for months and hearings for, well, hours, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform announced Friday that taxi fares will indeed rise, from a RMB 10 flag fall for the first three kilometers, to RMB 13.

None of the taxi drivers we spoke to Monday knew when the new fares would go into effect, and the commission did not include a timetable in their announcement. However, one driver the Beijinger interviewed Monday night said that the fuel surcharge, currently RMB 3 per trip over three kilometers, will be reduced to RMB 1 but will apply to every fare, regardless of distance. That means that just like our friends in Shanghai, we'll be paying at least RMB 14 every time we get into a taxi.

The driver, surnamed Jin, also had a few things to say about taxi booking apps such as Didi Dache. "Actually, I think it's a good idea, it makes things simpler, both for drivers and for passengers," he said. "But it also creates some problems. During rush hour, people try to book, but for drivers, there are already enough customers on the street, I don't need to answer any of the calls. The biggest problem is at night. People stay in their offices and book, when you arrive to pick them up, you have to wait, but I can't charge waiting time. It has taken customers off the street. I don't like that part of it," the 32-year-old driver said.

The fare rise will also increase the distance charge, likely to RMB 2.3 per kilometer. Don't worry, there's no need to start carrying mao coins: fares will only register to the full RMB, as they do now.The RMB 10.40 fare will remain firmly buried in the past.

Photo: thechinaguide.com