Taking a taxi is a fast and convenient way to get around Shanghai. Shanghai has the best- managed taxi service in China.
Tips on taking a taxi
·Taxi color Shanghai's taxis are colorful, unlike New York City's, which are all yellow. Cyan, yellow, white, green, blue, red, dark blue and dark red are the main colors of the taxis in Shanghai and the colors denote different taxi companies.
·Licensed taxi Licensed taxi means it is necessary to have a meter and an illuminated vacancy disk on the dashboard. Without all these things, the taxi is probably unlicensed and you should avoid it, even if the driver solicits you. You have no rights if injured in an unlicensed taxi.
· Vacant car (空车) The vacancy disk will help you know which cab is available. When the disk is upright and illuminated showing two Chinese characters -- 空车 -- it means the cab is vacant.
· Fare Besides cash, transportation card is also available to pay the taxi fare, for fare details, please see the two columns, and you will get it.
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Current fares for daytime operation (5am to 11pm)
1-3 km,14 yuan
3-10 km ,2.4 yuan per km
More than 10 km,3.6 yuan per km
Waiting time : Waiting 5 minutes equals traveling a kilometer |
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Current fares for daytime operation (11pm to 5am)
1-3 km,16 yuan
3-10 km ,3.1 yuan per km
More than 10 km,4.7 yuan per km
Waiting time : Waiting 5 minutes equals traveling a kilometer |
· Booking a car You can call 96965 for free, after receiving the call, the call center will find the nearest vacant taxi for you. Service in English is also available. In addition to the 96965 hotline, the four biggest taxi operators in Shanghai have their own call centers, but Dazhong Company, charges 4 yuan for each telephone or online reservation.
· Taxi receipt Remember to take the receipt. The slip will contain information on the taxi, including its plate number and the taxi company. In case you leave something in the car, the receipt will give you clues to find it.
· Hail a taxi Don't try to hail a cab at a crossroads, as taxi drivers cannot stop their cars within 30 meters from an intersection to pick up passengers. And you may find it is hard to hail a taxi in rush hours or on rainy days, you can head for the places taxi haunts, such as restaurant. Although taxis don't often park outside restaurants, many people go there by taxi. If you are quick enough, you can jump in as other passengers get out.
· Language barrier Taxi drivers may not speak English, or just little. So, if you can’t speak Chinese, you’d better have someone to write the destination in Chinese.
· Complaining number If you have some unhappy experience with a taxi, you can call 96200 for complaining.
Major taxi companies
Cyan, yellow, white and green are the taxi colors you will see most frequently, as they are the logo colors of the city's four biggest taxi companies – Dazhong, Qiangsheng, Jinjiang and Bashi.
·Dazhong
Color scheme: cyan
Call center: 96822
Simple English can be handled
Reservation surcharge: 4 yuan.
·Qiangsheng
Color scheme: yellow
Call center: 6258-0000
No English service.
·Jinjiang
Color scheme: white
Call center: 96961
Simple English can be handled.
·Bashi
Color scheme: green
Call center: 96840
Simple English can be handled.
All other taxi operators are either small companies or private drivers. Two rings have been established to better administer these operators and to standardize services.
Blue Union: A ring of 18 medium sized taxi companies.
Color scheme: dark blue
Premium Cab: A ring of small sized taxi companies and private drivers, who are required to pass a series of strict exams. Color scheme: red" |
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