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City considering updating taxi fleet
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VOLKSWAGEN’S Touran people carrier and Lavida sedan are in the running to become the new face of Shanghai’s taxis.
The city’s transport authority said yesterday it is planning to update its fleet of about 50,000 cabs some time next year. The current standard vehicle is the VW Santana, but as that is no longer in production an alternative is being sought.
In response, SAIC Motor Corp has provided the Shanghai Transport Commission with a list of possible replacements, which includes the two VWs.
While an updated fleet could mean greater comfort for commuters, it’s also likely to mean a higher flagdown rate.
“The starting price for a taxi ride might be raised with the introduction of the new models,” said Cao Xiufeng, an official with the commission.
“But before any decisions are made, we will hold a public hearing,” he said.
He denied a rumor that a decision had already been taken to raise the flagdown rate to 18 yuan (US$2.90) from next year.
Shanghai’s taxi companies are obliged to use only vehicles that are included on the commission’s approved list.
“We are considering offering subsidies to taxi companies that buy Touran cars, as they are more expensive, though people seem to like them,” Cao said.
The Touran made its debut during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Although it is scheduled to be phased out by the end of the year, there are still about 3,000 of them in operation on the city’s streets.
While they might be popular with passengers, taxi companies have bemoaned their high price tags and inflated maintenance costs.
“The Touran is a very comfortable car, but it costs about 40,000 yuan more to buy than a Lavida,” Qian Zhiwei, managing director of Shanghai Dazhong Taxi Co.
“There would be problems with the Lavida, too, as we don’t have a maintenance team for that model,” he said.
Taxi driver Chen Chen said he drove a Touran during the Expo, but later switched to a Santana.
“Passengers like the Tourans, but they consume 10 percent more gas, and with the AC on, they’re 20 percent dearer to run than a Santana,” he said.
“We might just keep a few Tourans for when people have a lot of luggage to carry and are prepared to pay more,” Chen said.
As for the higher flagdown rates, local man He Yinghua said a small increase would be reasonable.
“I think 15 or 16 yuan would be fair, but anything more than that would make me think twice,” he said.
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