China - Help: inside overpriced intercity taxi.

Hi all,
My flight ex HGH went WX, so grabbed a cab to PVG. After leaving, driver refuses to put on the meter. He asks for 1000. I don't have any extra time, so nod and we go on. We are still on the way.


Do taxis have to put on the meter also on intercity journeys? If no, I am obligated to pay him 1000. Otherwise, although the odds are against me, I will try to run off with only paying a reasonable amount.

Please let me know what u think

Hi all,
My flight ex HGH went WX, so grabbed a cab to PVG. After leaving, driver refuses to put on the meter. He asks for 1000. I don't have any extra time, so nod and we go on. We are still on the way.


Do taxis have to put on the meter also on intercity journeys? If no, I am obligated to pay him 1000. Otherwise, although the odds are against me, I will try to run off with only paying a reasonable amount.

Please let me know what u think

Yes they are meant to put on the meter. Expect the driver to get extremely violent. He may force you to pay before you get anywhere you can run away. I'd get the police involved ASAP. You don't want to end up with broken bones. Trust me, the driver will have no problem breaking some of your bones and I'm not kidding.

The driver by taking you this distance is paying more in fuel than he can afford and you must understand this. 1000 will cover his costs and give him a profit but without receiving this money the fuel costs will make extremely violent.

Ask him to stop for food ("sufan" in chinese) and get the police involved. The police will either get you to get another taxi driver and send this one home for not putting on the meter or this driver will agree to put on the meter and you'll have to negotiate for the distance you travelled. It is completely illegal for him not to put on the meter even if you negotiated a rate.

Honestly you have put your well being into serious danger as these drivers can get really crazy in such cases.

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Hi all,
My flight ex HGH went WX, so grabbed a cab to PVG. After leaving, driver refuses to put on the meter. He asks for 1000. I don't have any extra time, so nod and we go on. We are still on the way.


Do taxis have to put on the meter also on intercity journeys? If no, I am obligated to pay him 1000. Otherwise, although the odds are against me, I will try to run off with only paying a reasonable amount.

Please let me know what u think

1000 RBM from HGH to PVG is a reasonable price.

Yeah it is only a few hundred more than the meter would be at most. Hangzhou taxis are expensive. Only risk is without meter on the driver may attempt to go for more than 1000 and you are putting yourself in danger without the meter being on.

That said, hangzhou taxi drivers are some of the more civilised drivers in China. There are some areas in China which will lead to a much worse experience.

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1000 RBM from HGH to PVG is a reasonable price.

+1

Can stop in Suzhou and have some mitten crab on the way.:)

Ask him to stop for food ("sufan" in chinese) and get the police involved. The police will either get you to get another taxi driver and send this one home for not putting on the meter or this driver will agree to put on the meter and you'll have to negotiate for the distance you travelled. It is completely illegal for him not to put on the meter even if you negotiated a rate.

Honestly you have put your well being into serious danger as these drivers can get really crazy in such cases.

Are you joking? The guy agreed to a price and now he wants to stiff the driver. I'd say HumbleBee is in the wrong. Humble needed a cab to PVG, the guy offered to take him for a thousand RMB he nodded his approval and now Humble wants to back out? I don't condone violence but if he does stiff the driver and he hits Humble (which most likely he would not) I can't say it wasn't deserved.

My advice. Be glad there was a driver in HGH willing to take you to PVG for 170 USD. Try taking a 2 hour cab ride in the States or Europe and see how much it costs.

It is completely illegal for the taxi to drive without the meter on. The fact is, the meter would come close enough to 1000. I would be extremely suspicious if the driver refuses to put on the meter even after negotiating a price in such a situation. What is to stop the driver from claiming you agreed to 2000 and he took you around Hangzhou for a few hours before coming to Shanghai?

I've caught enough intercity taxis to know to refuse to go with any driver who doesn't put on the meter even if a different rate was agreed to. It is in the drivers benefit to have the meter on as he can force the passenger to at least pay the meter rate.

HGH to PVG is at least 200KM and 1000rmb for a Hangzhou taxi is reasonable.

And I think it is very offensive to accuse the OP of trying to stiff the taxi. He simply got in the taxi and told him to go to PVG. He doesn't have time to find another taxi. It is illegal for the driver to refuse to put on the meter and force the OP to whatever rate he wants after he has entered the taxi.

The driver is dangerous in this case.


Hi all,
My flight ex HGH went WX, so grabbed a cab to PVG. After leaving, driver refuses to put on the meter. He asks for 1000. I don't have any extra time, so nod and we go on. We are still on the way.

Meter fare probably about 800.
http://cscw2011.org/attending/transportation.html

200 rmb surcharge as passenger was in a rush and didn't
have time to negotiate with other taxis?

The OP was already in the taxi and the taxi seemingly left the stand before the OP was told 1000rmb. This isn't a 200rmb surcharge. The taxi could refuse to allow such a passenger to board, or refuse to drive till the passenger leaves the taxi, if he doesn't want to go out of the city. In which case the passenger can agree to pay over the meter to have the driver agree to travel. Under no circumstance can the driver take the passenger and then force him to pay a surcharge.

I am saying from personal experience that even if the driver agreed to a higher rate and he refuses to put on the meter he is most likely dangerous.

edit in bold.

Well the OP should have arrived. I hope he is okay. He hasn't replied to this thread or my PM. I hope he is rushing to catch a flight and doesn't have time to go online. However, considering there can't be that many more flights departing at this hour I must say I'm concerned.

The OP was already in the taxi and the taxi seemingly left the stand after the OP was told 1000rmb. This isn't a 200rmb surcharge. The taxi could refuse to allow such a passenger to board, or refuse to drive till the passenger leaves the taxi, if he doesn't want to go out of the city. In which case the passenger can agree to pay over the meter to have the driver agree to travel. Under no circumstance can the driver take the passenger and then force him to pay a surcharge.

I am saying from personal experience that even if the driver agreed to a higher rate and he refuses to put on the meter he is most likely dangerous.

I didn't realize the Hangzhou taxis have doors that can't be opened and left if you don't agree to the fare. The guy got into a taxi, admits he didn't have time to bargain and agreed to the fare...once you agree you have to pay it, common sense. It seems both parties win, the driver makes a couple hundred extra and Humble makes it to PVG on time.

As far as your personal experience, I can't take those dangerous cabbies away from you. But based upon my personal experience the driver is most likely not dangerous at all but merely a guy trying to make a living driving a passenger from Hangzhou to Shanghai for 1000 RMB.

If you request to go out of the city the driver doesn't have to drive his car if he doesn't want to. I've seen many taxi driver just turn off their car till the passenger leaves or agrees to the driver's price.

What sane driver would not turn on the meter even if the agreed price will be slightly higher? The driver has all to win with the meter being on and nothing to lose. Without the meter on the passenger can claim the agreed price was 500 and the police have no choice but to believe him if they get involved.

All I am saying is it is fine to negotiate prices but for God's sake make sure the meter is on. I don't think the OP would have gone to the effort to post here had he not felt intimidated.

Even when I have hired taxi's for the whole day they leave on the meter. I have hired a taxi in Hangzhou for the whole day and he had the meter on.

Just to be clear, the price isn't what is ticking me off. It is that the driver is driving without the meter on. 100% of my experiences when the meter was never turn on or was turned off mid-ride have ended with me seriously over paying so the driver doesn't break any of my bones.

If you are in a hurry, pay the fare but record the taxi plate number, then talk to the hotel front desk. They will communicate with local police dept. You will have a pretty good shot of getting refund.

I'm curious about how one goes about ensuring that a taxi driver will use the meter. We'll be travelling to China in a month or so, and don't speak any Mandarin. Do you just point to the meter, and if they don't turn it on get out of the taxi?

Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated. (We'll be in all the usual first-time places: Beijing, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Shanghai).

Thanks!
Ceiba

For intercity rides not in their assigned jurisdiction, cabbies DO NOT have to use the meter. In these cases, pricing is strictly by negotiation. It seems that the RMB 1000 price was agreed to explicitly by the OP nodding his assent. You can't have your cake and eat it too. If the ride was worth RMB 1000 to you when you started the journey, you can't change oars midstream.

It is not the cabbies' fault that the OP was in a hurry. The proper thing to do is pay the RMB 1000 and move on. Stiffing the driver is wrong. Welshing on a deal is wrong. Involving the police likely won't get you anywhere in this sort of case.

And for negotiated rides, I never insist the cabbie turn on the meter--if he wants to, fine, his lookout and whether I come out better or worse per the meter, so be it. Negotiated price governs. But once a deal has been agreed, I've never had one cabbie try to go back on it. Anywhere in China.

Just got around to checking this out. My question was about walking away with paying less at PVG airport, where I doubt he would do anything to me. I didn't feel morally obligated to pay 1000 as he did not tell me that price before we left, and once we left I was afraid to fight (on the way).

Also, every minute was crucial for me to make the flight.

In the end I decided to just pay him the full amount.


Thanks guys for all your help.

Just got around to checking this out. My question was about walking away with paying less at PVG airport, where I doubt he would do anything to me. I didn't feel morally obligated to pay 1000 as he did not tell me that price before we left, and once we left I was afraid to fight (on the way).

Also, every minute was crucial for me to make the flight.

In the end I decided to just pay him the full amount.


Thanks guys for all your help.

That was the correct action. And seriously, the metered amount was not going to be that much less for that distance all the way to PVG.

Then, of course, one could take a highspeed train from Hangzhou to Honggiao, Shanghai Main or Shanghai South stations. Speedier than a cab and an easy switch to either a bus or taxi to PVG from those points of entry.

Then, of course, one could take a highspeed train from Hangzhou to Honggiao, Shanghai Main or Shanghai South stations. Speedier than a cab and an easy switch to either a bus or taxi to PVG from those points of entry.

Taxi took me from HGH door to PVG door in 2 hours. My friend BBMd me a Chinese message to show him, which later turned out to say something to the tune of 'if I miss my flight there's no point in paying you'.

My question was about walking away with paying less at PVG airport, where I doubt he would do anything to me. I didn't feel morally obligated to pay 1000 as he did not tell me that price before we left, .

Driver was probably more concerned to get you there quick, so you would not
miss your flight. Just thru out a number to cover his/her additional fuel cost
for decreased mpg at high speed travel.

What sane driver would not turn on the meter even if the agreed price will be slightly higher?

The answer to this riddle lies in the fapiao thread.

Taxi took me from HGH door to PVG door in 2 hours. My friend BBMd me a Chinese message to show him, which later turned out to say something to the tune of 'if I miss my flight there's no point in paying you'.

That's pretty fast, certainly faster than going to the train station, waiting for a train, taking a train, then grabbing a taxi to PVG from Shanghai Station. Your friend's sms seems to be a bit on the rude side, IMO; I doubt it helped you curry favor with the cabbie.

Your friend's sms seems to be a bit on the rude side, IMO; I doubt it helped you curry favor with the cabbie.

Perfect example of why China is making so much money.
They want to deliver and get paid without drama. Its not
a "like-ability" contest.

In US if the driver would have received that SMS, they would have immediately pulled over on the freeway and thrown the passenger out.:D

Driver was probably more concerned to get you there quick, so you would not
miss your flight. Just thru out a number to cover his/her additional fuel cost
for decreased mpg at high speed travel.

Not to mention a return trip likely empty.

Plus the highway tolls.

Not to mention a return trip likely empty.

Perfect example of why China is making so much money.
They want to deliver and get paid without drama. Its not
a "like-ability" contest.

In US if the driver would have received that SMS, they would have immediately pulled over on the freeway and thrown the passenger out.:D

My friend insisted it was a polite request to go faster. I'm still not 100% sure if he was kidding originally, or when he explained it to me later. At any rate I won't trust him much anymore:)

That's pretty fast, certainly faster than going to the train station, waiting for a train, taking a train, then grabbing a taxi to PVG from Shanghai Station. Your friend's sms seems to be a bit on the rude side, IMO; I doubt it helped you curry favor with the cabbie.Agreed to every word you said, I wouldnt've of used it had I known what it meant, he did seem pretty anxious but did start driving faster.

Driver was probably more concerned to get you there quick, so you would not
miss your flight. Just thru out a number to cover his/her additional fuel cost
for decreased mpg at high speed travel.

He did not know I was in a rush until much later in the drive. He started driving fast later.

That was the correct action. And seriously, the metered amount was not going to be that much less for that distance all the way to PVG.
Had I realized that I wouldntve have even started this thread. I thought it was 200.

OT, but are there any safety concerns when hopping into a random cab for a trip like this? I was pretty concerned, as I speak 0 Chinese, and my BB & iPad were both nearly dead.

He did not know I was in a rush until much later in the drive. He started driving fast later.

"He asks for 1000. I don't have any extra time, so nod and we go on."

He might have sensed you were in a hurry. Then when he found out he might not be paid for 4 hours worth of driving, he decided to step on it.

Not to mention a return trip likely empty.

Do you know why the rate per KM is higher after ~10km? So to cover the drivers costs in driving back empty.

I'm glad to hear there was no violence.

Had I realized that I wouldntve have even started this thread. I thought it was 200.


Ummm. At the risk further bullying you, how could you honestly think the price should be y200? Gas alone costs more than that for 250 miles of driving, and iirc the tolls are around y90 in each direction. Then, there's the amortized portion of the fee the driver pays his company to lease the car every month; 4 hours = ~y100. That's ~y480 in fixed costs.

OT, but are there any safety concerns when hopping into a random cab for a trip like this? .

Kind of a catch22.

If its a random cab, no possibility the driver owes a kickback to
whomever summoned the cab.

Are you joking? The guy agreed to a price and now he wants to stiff the driver. I'd say HumbleBee is in the wrong. Humble needed a cab to PVG, the guy offered to take him for a thousand RMB he nodded his approval and now Humble wants to back out? I don't condone violence but if he does stiff the driver and he hits Humble (which most likely he would not) I can't say it wasn't deserved.

My advice. Be glad there was a driver in HGH willing to take you to PVG for 170 USD. Try taking a 2 hour cab ride in the States or Europe and see how much it costs.

+ 5 !

How can you agree and then have second thoughts ? If you are not comfortable, have him put on the meter, turn around to starting point and start all over again.

You are in a foreign land, don't speak the language, don't know the norms or customs and you want to enter in a contest ? Better carry huge accident and life policy.

I'm beginning to think this is a fabricated story and would suggest to close the thread. The two hour driving time from Hangzhou to PVG also seems highly unrealistic.

2 hours is what Google maps calculates it to be. I'll believe it if there was no traffic jams.

I'm beginning to think this is a fabricated story and would suggest to close the thread. The two hour driving time from Hangzhou to PVG also seems highly unrealistic.

Don't believe the story is fabricated.

Question by OP...Did I get ripped off because the driver didn't turn on the meter?

With no knowledge of the specific location the passenger was picked up..
weather conditions..ie:rain...events in Hangzhou..time of day.

Would say the OP did not get ripped off.

+ 5 !

How can you agree and then have second thoughts ? If you are not comfortable, have him put on the meter, turn around to starting point and start all over again.

You are in a foreign land, don't speak the language, don't know the norms or customs and you want to enter in a contest ? Better carry huge accident and life policy.

You can consent under duress. Its not to easy to communicate when you can't speak Chinese.

That's one of the pitfalls of transporting foreigners, just a taxi driver trying to make a living.

If the passenger bolts at PVG, lesson learned.

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I just come back to HK and see this thread. My usual taxi driver told me it is 1200 - 1500 RMB to have him all day from shanghai downtown to HangZhou downtown (and return same day) plus local drive around, so I assume 1000 RMB is actually OK.

And he also said it takes 2-ish 3 hour Normally one way

Ummm. At the risk further bullying you, how could you honestly think the price should be y200? Gas alone costs more than that for 250 miles of driving, and iirc the tolls are around y90 in each direction. Then, there's the amortized portion of the fee the driver pays his company to lease the car every month; 4 hours = ~y100. That's ~y480 in fixed costs.

I obviously wasn't thinking...

I just took a 1 hour cab earlier HGH>West Lake, and it was 100, so like an idiot I assumed a 2 hour trip was 200



For those suggesting I fabricated this story, you're out of your mind. What kind of incentive would I have to do that? At any rate I can easily show the ATM record of withdrawing cash at HGH and 2 hours later a BP printed @ PVG. Such is life with IRROPs and CA...


It seems even amongst the real pros here theres disagreement whether or not the driver was supposed to use the meter or not. As I specified earlier, had I realized the amount in question this wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

The driver is suppose to turn on the meter.

Why would the driver not turn on the meter?

To try to make more money by overcharging
the passenger.

To avoid paying tax and or the taxi company fees.

What's the most opportune time to get away with not using the meter?.
Driving a foreigner on a long distance trip between airports.:D

I stand by my previous statements. In China, drivers are licensed in their specific municipality and are supposed to abide by regulations there, including turning on the meter, for journeys completely within that jurisdiction. However, once a journey crosses into another municipality, there is no requirement to use the meter, and the fee is normally by negotiation.

To try to make more money by overcharging
the passenger.

Even with the meter on the driver is allowed to overcharge the passenger or undercharge. I have experienced both.


To avoid paying tax and or the taxi company fees.


The taxi company isn't stupid. 1) The driver needs permission from the company when it leaves the city. 2) No driver is going to be driving such long distances empty just looking for passengers.

You always want to give the driver the opportunity to turn to the police as opposed to getting violent. There is no way the driver can do that if the meter isn't on. If you don't think you are risking violence then go ahead. 1000 RMB is a lot of money for most drivers. Many foreigners won't understand that and that is just asking for trouble.

I stand by my previous statements. In China, drivers are licensed in their specific municipality and are supposed to abide by regulations there, including turning on the meter, for journeys completely within that jurisdiction. However, once a journey crosses into another municipality, there is no requirement to use the meter, and the fee is normally by negotiation.

I still think you are wrong about this. There is no requirement for the driver to accept you as a passenger. The meter is there to protect the driver as much as the passenger. If not using the meter was legal then most drivers would require a deposit before departing the city.

I still think you are wrong about this. There is no requirement for the driver to accept you as a passenger. The meter is there to protect the driver as much as the passenger. If not using the meter was legal then most drivers would require a deposit before departing the city.

Actually, yes, there is a requirement in nearly all municipalities, that a driver accept you as a passenger if the journey is within jurisdiction. Of course, we all know that cabbies routinely violate this everywhere, but few people bother to report them. The main dispensation altering this rule is for a driver on his way to shift change to turn in his vehicle, when the fare would take him in the wrong direction and cause him to late return his cab.

There is no requirement for a driver to accept a passenger wanting to go outside the normal limits of his territory, such as a Hangzhou-based cabbie going over into Shanghai. Driver can refuse. Driver can also ask for a deposit, though as a matter of course, it is rarely asked for.

You may believe I am wrong, but my track record on this forum of being right is pretty darn strong.

I still think you are wrong about this. There is no requirement for the driver to accept you as a passenger. The meter is there to protect the driver as much as the passenger. If not using the meter was legal then most drivers would require a deposit before departing the city.

There was a nationwide law enacted at the beginning of this year
that makes it a fineable offense for taxis to refuse service.

http://www.china.org.cn/business/2012-01/19/content_24442415.htm

Actually, yes, there is a requirement in nearly all municipalities, that a driver accept you as a passenger if the journey is within jurisdiction. Of course, we all know that cabbies routinely violate this everywhere, but few people bother to report them. The main dispensation altering this rule is for a driver on his way to shift change to turn in his vehicle, when the fare would take him in the wrong direction and cause him to late return his cab.

There is no requirement for a driver to accept a passenger wanting to go outside the normal limits of his territory, such as a Hangzhou-based cabbie going over into Shanghai. Driver can refuse. Driver can also ask for a deposit, though as a matter of course, it is rarely asked for.

You may believe I am wrong, but my track record on this forum of being right is pretty darn strong.

"Shift change" is only one of several top excuses; "eating time", "resting time", and "waiting for pick-up" are just as common IME (though, I don't have any formal data on this).

Switching gears slightly, based on my knowledge of how things work in the Beijing taxi circuit, the ONLY revenue taxi companies care about is the lease money that drivers pay them. As long as the drivers don't violate any laws (AND, don't get reported for doing so), they are free to do as they please. I'm assuming things work the same in other parts of China, and drivers who actually own their cars are in a similar position, apart from the fact that the monthly fees they pay to their companies are substantially lower.

Context... I meant a driver can refuse you if you want to go intercity.

You always want to give the driver the opportunity to turn to the police as opposed to getting violent. There is no way the driver can do that if the meter isn't on. If you don't think you are risking violence then go ahead. 1000 RMB is a lot of money for most drivers. Many foreigners won't understand that and that is just asking for trouble.


Apparently they don't take kindly to photos either.


Li Yang, a teacher in Beijing, was charged 100 yuan ($15.70) from Sanyuanqiao to the Wangjing area on Friday, when it was raining, according to her micro blog. Normally the fare would be 15 yuan.

After Li and her husband tried to take a picture of the license plate to make a complaint later, the driver walked out of the taxi and punched her husband in the face. "I was very scared," she said.

Updated: 2012-07-31 08:07

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-07/31/content_15633288.htm

Apparently they don't take kindly to photos either.


Li Yang, a teacher in Beijing, was charged 100 yuan ($15.70) from Sanyuanqiao to the Wangjing area on Friday, when it was raining, according to her micro blog. Normally the fare would be 15 yuan.

After Li and her husband tried to take a picture of the license plate to make a complaint later, the driver walked out of the taxi and punched her husband in the face. "I was very scared," she said.

Updated: 2012-07-31 08:07

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-07/31/content_15633288.htm

Whenever situations of this matter arise, I grab pics from the back seat of the license, and immediately call 110. Receipts also come in handy, but some drivers don't offer them after being confronted. Once you're reached this stage, you are sitting pretty, and the driver knows this. He can punch all he wants, but this not in his best interests, so he will probably let you go in exchange for the proper fare... before the police show up.

Apparently they don't take kindly to photos either.


Li Yang, a teacher in Beijing, was charged 100 yuan ($15.70) from Sanyuanqiao to the Wangjing area on Friday, when it was raining, according to her micro blog. Normally the fare would be 15 yuan.

After Li and her husband tried to take a picture of the license plate to make a complaint later, the driver walked out of the taxi and punched her husband in the face. "I was very scared," she said.

Updated: 2012-07-31 08:07



This story gave me a chuckle. I'm guessing Ms. Li and her husband agreed to the 100 rmb when entering the taxi in order to expedite their trip home and then upon reaching Wangjing decided to back out and pay only the metered amount and threatened the cab driver with a report to some higher authority that Beijing people assume all are so deferential towards. The driver didn't like them backing out of the deal and the smackdown happened.

I know that it's not "legal" to overcharge but a cab driver in the rain is a law unto himself and Ms. Li and hubby broke his laws, which in China, are much more powerful and meaningful than anything coming out of the city, provincial or central government.

I was confused as to when the demand for payment was made.
If it was at the end of the trip, passenger could easily respond
"mei you".

But as you thought, it was an upfront request as detailed in this
article.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Print.aspx?tabid=99&tabmoduleid=94&articleId=724039&moduleId=405&PortalID=0

Ummm. At the risk further bullying you, how could you honestly think the price should be y200?

Not to mention a taxi from PVG to Shanghai Puxi costs close to that.

You can consent under duress. Its not to easy to communicate when you can't speak Chinese.

That's one of the pitfalls of transporting foreigners, just a taxi driver trying to make a living.

If the passenger bolts at PVG, lesson learned.
Who put the OP under duress ? Not the cabbie .

I am sure there were many cabs hanging around for him to try and price a couple.

In a strange land, I would ask an English speaking local to please translate for me with the cabbie......common sense.

To bolt at PVG is very poor Behaviour.

Who put the OP under duress ? Not the cabbie .

I am sure there were many cabs hanging around for him to try and price a couple.

In a strange land, I would ask an English speaking local to please translate for me with the cabbie......common sense.

To bolt at PVG is very poor Behaviour.

Actually pretty simple equation.

Pudong JiChang
Yi qian
Keyi

The driver is suppose to turn on the meter.

Why would the driver not turn on the meter?

To try to make more money by overcharging
the passenger.

To avoid paying tax and or the taxi company fees.

What's the most opportune time to get away with not using the meter?.
Driving a foreigner on a long distance trip between airports.:D

Drivers also don't use the meter in cities where they can share cabs with multiple parties. In some cities in China it's just the way things are.

As for paying tax and taxi company fees, my understanding is that cab drivers paid the company a fixed amount daily to use the cab etc. So what they earn above their costs (gas, payment to cab co etc) is theirs to keep. So yes they are incentivized to charge more...

Drivers also don't use the meter in cities where they can share cabs with multiple parties. In some cities in China it's just the way things are.

As for paying tax and taxi company fees, my understanding is that cab drivers paid the company a fixed amount daily to use the cab etc. So what they earn above their costs (gas, payment to cab co etc) is theirs to keep. So yes they are incentivized to charge more...

Meter on, meter off.
It wasn't 1000 rmb for PVG to Puxi.

No harm no foul.

Drivers also don't use the meter in cities where they can share cabs with multiple parties. In some cities in China it's just the way things are.

As for paying tax and taxi company fees, my understanding is that cab drivers paid the company a fixed amount daily to use the cab etc. So what they earn above their costs (gas, payment to cab co etc) is theirs to keep. So yes they are incentivized to charge more...

This is true, but by issuing a fapiao, they are giving the government a means to get its share of the fare. That having been said, I'm guessing they make more money selling fapiao than they lose to the tax people.

[QUOTE=anacapamalibu;

Actually pretty simple equation.

Pudong JiChang
Yi qian
Keyi[/QUOTE]

Maybe simple for someone who knows a bit of Chinese, but I assure you if you know not one word of Chinese your "simple equation" would seem like advanced calculus!

Maybe simple for someone who knows a bit of Chinese, but I assure you if you know not one word of Chinese your "simple equation" would seem like advanced calculus!

I've witnessed many a United FA/pilot pronounce "Pudong" in a manner that makes me cringe, but all you need to remember is that it's a hard "o", and you're good to go.

By contrast, the "o" in "wo" is 70% soft. This stuff really isn't all that hard; sure you'll butcher the tones at first, but you will be able to get your point across as long as you have a basic grasp of the phonetics. Apart from "ri", "re", and perhaps "she" (difficult to contrast with "shi"), I am hard pressed to think of any Mandarin sounds that can't be mastered during the course of 20 minutes (the tones are a different animal altogether, but this is more often than not, a cop out excuse; get the pronunciation down first, and the tones will come naturally over time).

I've witnessed many a United FA/pilot pronounce "Pudong" in a manner that makes me cringe, but all you need to remember is that it's a hard "o", and you're good to go.

.

Reminds me of this sign (http://www.flickr.com/photos/twodogsphotography/4963501033/) on the way to Pudong airport.:D

Reminds me of this sign (http://www.flickr.com/photos/twodogsphotography/4963501033/) on the way to Pudong airport.:D

Long should be 60% hard, and dong should be 80% hard, in this context.

Meter on, meter off.
It wasn't 1000 rmb for PVG to Puxi.

No harm no foul.

Hey, don't get me wrong I hate all the dirty tricks cabbies play. 1K RMB PVG to Puxi is ridiculous.

This is true, but by issuing a fapiao, they are giving the government a means to get its share of the fare. That having been said, I'm guessing they make more money selling fapiao than they lose to the tax people.

I've seen so many fake fapiao's it makes me sick. I'm sure you've seen your fare share of the fake fapiao's they tear off some big notepad and hand you happily.

I've witnessed many a United FA/pilot pronounce "Pudong" in a manner that makes me cringe, but all you need to remember is that it's a hard "o", and you're good to go.

By contrast, the "o" in "wo" is 70% soft. This stuff really isn't all that hard; sure you'll butcher the tones at first, but you will be able to get your point across as long as you have a basic grasp of the phonetics. Apart from "ri", "re", and perhaps "she" (difficult to contrast with "shi"), I am hard pressed to think of any Mandarin sounds that can't be mastered during the course of 20 minutes (the tones are a different animal altogether, but this is more often than not, a cop out excuse; get the pronunciation down first, and the tones will come naturally over time).

Thanks for the tips...

I've witnessed many a United FA/pilot pronounce "Pudong" in a manner that makes me cringe, but all you need to remember is that it's a hard "o", and you're good to go.

By contrast, the "o" in "wo" is 70% soft. This stuff really isn't all that hard; sure you'll butcher the tones at first, but you will be able to get your point across as long as you have a basic grasp of the phonetics. Apart from "ri", "re", and perhaps "she" (difficult to contrast with "shi"), I am hard pressed to think of any Mandarin sounds that can't be mastered during the course of 20 minutes (the tones are a different animal altogether, but this is more often than not, a cop out excuse; get the pronunciation down first, and the tones will come naturally over time).

ci and zi still get me...

Thanks for the tips...

These tips are of no use to you because you have the language thing under control. I just want occasional visitors to stop embarrassing us foreigners on account of their poor pronunciation; the locals are cool with "first tone only", to which Americans default, but using a soft "o" in "dong" is completely obnoxious.

These tips are of no use to you because you have the language thing under control. I just want occasional visitors to stop embarrassing us foreigners on account of their poor pronunciation

Sang you for the tips.:-:

ong [#2 + ng] – like “lone” but with a nasalized “ng” sound on the end instead of just “n”


Pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese (http://www.sinosplice.com/learn-chinese/pronunciation-of-mandarin-chinese/2)

I'm bumping this up due to an interesting experience in getting ripped off this (early) morning in Shanghai.

In short: I unknowingly took a fake taxi from my hotel (Meridien near People's Square to PVG)

It looked like the real thing (colors, make of vehicle) etc and was standing in the official line at the hotel. It had a meter that looked legit. I was tired (5am wakeup) and got in. I didn't notice anything strange (not that I was looking) until I was most of the way to the airport and the meter read something like 200 RMB (It seemed expensive, I usually pay 165-180 or so). I was thinking maybe I got taken for a ride (we took the Lupu Bridge) but I don't know SH well, and the guy was flying (we got to PVG in something like 30 mins).

I get out of the cab, and ask for a fa piao. The guy helped me with my my bag and the meter showed 248 RMB. I felt something was off but figured, maybe I had been taken for a ride and since I had the fa piao.. I paid, took my fa piao and went into the airport.

In the lounge, I looked at the fa piao again, very interesting. Apparently I traveled 64.7km, all in the span of two minutes (752 AM - 754 AM - FWIW I left my hotel around 540 AM - talk about lightning speed!) and apparently, according to the meter the date is September 30, 2012. Oh and the kicker? The fa piao says 228 RMB was my fare.

All I could do was chuckle, since I'll expense the cab and explain to HR what happened.

Just wanted to add this note to tell people to be cautious. A google search on "Shanghai Fake Cabs" brings up a number of articles.

I'm bumping this up due to an interesting experience in getting ripped off this (early) morning in Shanghai.


You're in SH?! Get yourself over to the Shed if you have time. It's Monday! (I'm going there myself in about 5 minutes.)

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I'm bumping this up due to an interesting experience in getting ripped off this (early) morning in Shanghai.

In short: I unknowingly took a fake taxi from my hotel (Meridien near People's Square to PVG)

It looked like the real thing (colors, make of vehicle) etc and was standing in the official line at the hotel. It had a meter that looked legit. I was tired (5am wakeup) and got in. I didn't notice anything strange (not that I was looking) until I was most of the way to the airport and the meter read something like 200 RMB (It seemed expensive, I usually pay 165-180 or so). I was thinking maybe I got taken for a ride (we took the Lupu Bridge) but I don't know SH well, and the guy was flying (we got to PVG in something like 30 mins).

I get out of the cab, and ask for a fa piao. The guy helped me with my my bag and the meter showed 248 RMB. I felt something was off but figured, maybe I had been taken for a ride and since I had the fa piao.. I paid, took my fa piao and went into the airport.

In the lounge, I looked at the fa piao again, very interesting. Apparently I traveled 64.7km, all in the span of two minutes (752 AM - 754 AM - FWIW I left my hotel around 540 AM - talk about lightning speed!) and apparently, according to the meter the date is September 30, 2012. Oh and the kicker? The fa piao says 228 RMB was my fare.

All I could do was chuckle, since I'll expense the cab and explain to HR what happened.

Just wanted to add this note to tell people to be cautious. A google search on "Shanghai Fake Cabs" brings up a number of articles.

Those have become rare during the current crackdown. Best is to call hotel staff or the airport police when this happens - or just threaten the driver to do so in any language. He will agree to the standard price, as his alternative is an impounded car and a ride to jail.

As always, it is still best to avoid private taxi drivers (dark red and an X in the plate ( 沪[.]•X...)) and blue ones that linger about in tourist spots.

On a side note, it's a pitty that this thread is still active, as not just most advice and facts given by one poster are totally wrong, but the whole story seems fabricated.

but the whole story seems fabricated.

The story is not fabricated, not sure what motive I would have to do that. I can show proof of my eticket being modified from HGH departure to PVG departure

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Those have become rare during the current crackdown. Best is to call hotel staff or the airport police when this happens - or just threaten the driver to do so in any language. He will agree to the standard price, as his alternative is an impounded car and a ride to jail.

As always, it is still best to avoid private taxi drivers (dark red and an X in the plate ( 沪[.]•X...)) and blue ones that linger about in tourist spots.

On a side note, it's a pitty that this thread is still active, as not just most advice and facts given by one poster are totally wrong, but the whole story seems fabricated.

I agree. As a Chinese myself I haven't taken dark red cabs for years. Those are private and generally rude. Always take the blue one.

There is a big sign board at the taxi line in HGH listing standard taxi prices to nearby cities. PVG is 1000 CNY.

Anyway.

There is a big sign board at the taxi line in HGH listing standard taxi prices to nearby cities. PVG is 1000 CNY.

Anyway.

That explains why the taxi driver didn't tell me the price before we left, thanks.

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Those have become rare during the current crackdown. Best is to call hotel staff or the airport police when this happens - or just threaten the driver to do so in any language. He will agree to the standard price, as his alternative is an impounded car and a ride to jail.

As always, it is still best to avoid private taxi drivers (dark red and an X in the plate ( 沪[.]•X...)) and blue ones that linger about in tourist spots.

On a side note, it's a pitty that this thread is still active, as not just most advice and facts given by one poster are totally wrong, but the whole story seems fabricated.

I think mine was one of the light blue ones. But I had taken plenty over the weekend which were legit. Like I said it was in the official taxi queue. License plate (which I know nothing about) is key. I know in Beijing you want the 京B plates...

I think mine was one of the light blue ones. But I had taken plenty over the weekend which were legit. Like I said it was in the official taxi queue. License plate (which I know nothing about) is key. I know in Beijing you want the 京B plates...

I also ended up with a fake turquoise (大众) taxi to PVG the other day, also from an official queue at a hotel, and didn't notice until somewhere out by the Outer Ring Expressway (it was a very good fake and I was distracted with a phone call). By this point the meter had already reached an alarming 240RMB on a trip from Xintiandi that shouldn't cost more than ~170.

Upon arrival at T2, my complaints and threats to report him quickly brought the price down to 150, and I left happy as this was actually less than I usually paid. Part of me feels like I shouldn't be letting these guys off so easily for the benefit of future victims, however...

I'm bumping this up due to an interesting experience in getting ripped off this (early) morning in Shanghai.

In short: I unknowingly took a fake taxi from my hotel (Meridien near People's Square to PVG)

It looked like the real thing (colors, make of vehicle) etc and was standing in the official line at the hotel. It had a meter that looked legit. I was tired (5am wakeup) and got in. I didn't notice anything strange (not that I was looking) until I was most of the way to the airport and the meter read something like 200 RMB (It seemed expensive, I usually pay 165-180 or so). I was thinking maybe I got taken for a ride (we took the Lupu Bridge) but I don't know SH well, and the guy was flying (we got to PVG in something like 30 mins).

I get out of the cab, and ask for a fa piao. The guy helped me with my my bag and the meter showed 248 RMB. I felt something was off but figured, maybe I had been taken for a ride and since I had the fa piao.. I paid, took my fa piao and went into the airport.

In the lounge, I looked at the fa piao again, very interesting. Apparently I traveled 64.7km, all in the span of two minutes (752 AM - 754 AM - FWIW I left my hotel around 540 AM - talk about lightning speed!) and apparently, according to the meter the date is September 30, 2012. Oh and the kicker? The fa piao says 228 RMB was my fare.

All I could do was chuckle, since I'll expense the cab and explain to HR what happened.

Just wanted to add this note to tell people to be cautious. A google search on "Shanghai Fake Cabs" brings up a number of articles.

I think mine was one of the light blue ones. But I had taken plenty over the weekend which were legit. Like I said it was in the official taxi queue. License plate (which I know nothing about) is key. I know in Beijing you want the 京B plates...

Hopefully not one of the main companies, do you recall the company?

Reminder to make sure the meter starts when you get in. While it still can be tampered with, this is less often (though still happens frequently) than someone who started their meter already.

Part of me feels like I shouldn't be letting these guys off so easily for the benefit of future victims, however...

If you have proof, such as an obvious fake receipt or bogus airport tax certificate. The standard compensation the driver expects to pay the passenger is double the amount they asked for or got....

A demand for payment from driver coupled with the threat of reporting a crime is not considered extortion...just driver's expected cost when caught.

Hopefully not one of the main companies, do you recall the company?

Reminder to make sure the meter starts when you get in. While it still can be tampered with, this is less often (though still happens frequently) than someone who started their meter already.

I don't honestly and I've already submitted my expenses.

The meter only started when I got in, that I made sure of.

I don't honestly and I've already submitted my expenses.

The meter only started when I got in, that I made sure of.

I know how you feel then. Even though I can reimburse via company, I feel cheated and feel it's wrong to let them get away.

It is wrong to let them get away. But how much time and energy is it worth spending on it now?

It's a lesson learned and one to pass onto others so perhaps they won't have the same experience - that's how I see it.

It is wrong to let them get away. But how much time and energy is it worth spending on it now?

It's a lesson learned and one to pass onto others so perhaps they won't have the same experience - that's how I see it.

+1, but what gets me is the taxi drivers know that too, so their hope is that you will just say "forget it".