Domestic Affairs

Beijing taxi service needs improvement

By Binod Singh (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-11-30 09:21

In recent months, as fuel prices have been surging and the inflation in food prices is at serious levels, it might be the case that Beijing's hardworking taxi drivers are saving less and less money. But this has driven them to go crazy and try to make every extra dollar from each passenger. There will be hardly anyone among the foreign community living in Beijing who has not been taken for a ride by them. This is also true for some Chinese friends who come from outside Beijing.

What is wrong with the taxi drivers in Beijing has as many answers as taxi riders. But most of us will agree that there is a large deficit of "service with a smile." In other words, the first and foremost problem is their attitude. If you are not going to the airport, then please do not expect any smile from the shifu (as taxi drivers are called in Chinese). One is also advised to avoid taking a taxi service if the distance to destination is less than 3 kilometers. Beijing shifu will keep murmuring beyond your level of Mandarin skill.

It is not the case that Beijing taxi drivers are all becoming xenophobic or greedy to make extra bucks from a laowai (as foreigners are called in China). The main problem is that they are not satisfied with the current fare structure and there is a growing resentment against the authorities, which is taken out on commuters like you and me. I hope that their attitude should be at least conforming to the rules set by City Municipal government. At the same time, we expect the Municipal government of Beijing City to address their grievances in a harmonious way.

There is no doubt that Beijing is emerging as a new cosmopolitan capital city in Asia, and so it is quite natural to compare its services with other great cities such as Tokyo or Hong Kong. But when it comes to the quality of service in these three cities, Beijing needs to catch up fast. We do realize that a cab in Beijing is still cheaper than in many other cities in the world, but the city may top the list of "extra rounds" or "hassle-up" with the taxi driver.

The taxi service in Beijing is being questioned by many foreigners. Therefore the first and foremost impression of the city is at stake. It is harming the reputation of Beijing as a national capital city of the PRC. The attitude is far better in many other cities of China, including Shanghai and Guangzhou. What I personally like to argue is that the spirit of the Olympics might be over but the importance of efficient taxi service is as relevant today as it was in 2008.

I do confess here that I am not a true Beijinger because I can work from home and therefore do not need to travel every day. But still I cannot resist commuting to CBD twice or thrice a week. Many of you may not subscribe to my view here because the situation in many other countries could be much more irritating, including in my home country of India. Therefore I am anticipating a huge backlash from China Daily readers. But I have lived and worked in Beijing for six years, and I love this capital city of China. I will strive to contribute my share to make it a better city for all of us. The issue raised here is far from becoming a nightmare, and I am optimistic that things will improve in the coming days and we the laowais can have a good chat with Beijing shifu.

The writer is a teacher at Beijing Foreign Studies University and can be reached at binod@126.com.