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City ranks 3rd for taxi hailing ease
By Zha Minjie |
December 22, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SHANGHAI ranks as the third easiest city in the country to hail a taxi, according to a report that stressed finding a cab "has become a common problem in major cities across the nation."
The report, released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on Thursday, was based on 25,000 questionnaires handed out in 38 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Zhuhai.
"The low efficiency of taxi operations due to traffic congestion plays a key part in the situation," the report said. "Plus taxi drivers often refuse to take some passengers and this exacerbates the problem."
The report found 8.5 percent of respondents said "it's very hard to wave down a taxi" and they often have to wait more than 30 minutes.
Another 45 percent said it usually takes 10 to 30 minutes to hail a cab. Only 11.6 percent said it takes five minutes or less to flag down a taxi.
Lhasa, capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region, ranked as the easiest city to hail a cab, followed by Tianjin, according to the report. Beijing ranked No. 28.
Shanghai has more than 50,000 taxis, but some people still find it difficult to get one when needed, especially during rush hours.
"Waiting for a taxi to go home is a frustrating experience," said Yu, who works in an office tower on Nanjing Road W.
Yu said cabbies are often unwilling to go to the area due to heavy traffic jams.
Traffic officials said Shanghai has made great strides in developing its public transport system, including taxis.
Meanwhile, the academy suggested raising taxi fares in some cities to reduce demand.
"Cabs should target business travelers, tourists and those who have emergency needs," said the academy.
"Higher fares will effectively reduce demand for cabs, which means people wouldn't need to wait so long," it added.
The report, released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on Thursday, was based on 25,000 questionnaires handed out in 38 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Zhuhai.
"The low efficiency of taxi operations due to traffic congestion plays a key part in the situation," the report said. "Plus taxi drivers often refuse to take some passengers and this exacerbates the problem."
The report found 8.5 percent of respondents said "it's very hard to wave down a taxi" and they often have to wait more than 30 minutes.
Another 45 percent said it usually takes 10 to 30 minutes to hail a cab. Only 11.6 percent said it takes five minutes or less to flag down a taxi.
Lhasa, capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region, ranked as the easiest city to hail a cab, followed by Tianjin, according to the report. Beijing ranked No. 28.
Shanghai has more than 50,000 taxis, but some people still find it difficult to get one when needed, especially during rush hours.
"Waiting for a taxi to go home is a frustrating experience," said Yu, who works in an office tower on Nanjing Road W.
Yu said cabbies are often unwilling to go to the area due to heavy traffic jams.
Traffic officials said Shanghai has made great strides in developing its public transport system, including taxis.
Meanwhile, the academy suggested raising taxi fares in some cities to reduce demand.
"Cabs should target business travelers, tourists and those who have emergency needs," said the academy.
"Higher fares will effectively reduce demand for cabs, which means people wouldn't need to wait so long," it added.
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