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Oil Price Pumps Up Taxi Fares
Taxi passengers in Beijing are starting to pay the price for the rise in the cost of oil.
Since Friday, customers now pay for one more kilometre than they did, as the taxi meters start to run earlier than before.
For example, for a taxi charging 1.2 yuan (US$0.14) per kilometre, the basic fare of 10 yuan will be charged at 4 kilometres, instead of the previous 5 kilometres.
The distance is cut from 4 to 3 kilometres for 1.6 yuan (US$0.19) and 2 yuan (US$0.24) per kilometre taxis.
The Beijing taxi administration, which brought in the price rise, said the measure was to reduce the financial burden upon taxi drivers caused by the rise in the price of oil.
This year, while there have been several rises, the taxi price remained unchanged, and most drivers complained that the high oil price had shaved off most of their profits.
Most taxi companies are now busy resetting their taxi meters. Most of them are expected to be able to deal with the new price this week.
Some drivers were not satisfied with the change.
"The tiny price rise will not do much to help our business," said Su Xuqi, a taxi driver.
"If taxi companies could lower their month's rent and keep the taxi price unchanged, both taxi drivers and consumers will be happy," Su said.
The common taxi rent from the local taxi companies ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 yuan (US$480-720) according to the different types of car.
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