Beijing lowers taxi fuel surcharge

Beijing taxis will lower the fuel surcharge they collect from 3 to 2 yuan from next Monday.

According to a report posted by the China News Service, the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission will soon announce that Beijing taxi drivers are to lower the amount of fuel surcharge they collect on each trip over 3km to 2 yuan.

Taxi drivers in China's capital currently collect 3 yuan in fuel surcharge for each trip over 3 kilometers. The change will take effect on June 18.

The decision to lower the additional fuel charge, which is added on to the meter price at the end of each trip, is related to the recent decision to lower fuel prices in China.

The fuel surcharge was first introduced in November 2009 and was set at 1 yuan. In April of 2011, the additional fee was raised to 2 yuan.

Beijing authorities lifted the surcharge to 3 yuan at the end of March this year.

Other cities around China also use a similar system to help taxi drivers cope with rapidly changing fuel prices. With the recent fall in fuel prices, many of these cities have also lowered the amount of the surcharge.

The municipal transportation bureau is currently in the process of printing up new stickers that will be placed in all cabs so that passengers are informed about the change in prices.