Phone booking may improve after taxi fare hike  

北京出租车起步价拟调至13元 电召服务质量或提高

北京市发改委今日公布出租车调价听证方案，两个方案的起步价都将提高至13元。同时，听证方案对于电话召车收费方案也进行了适当调整，未来电话预约出租车服务质量或可得到提高。

ECNS — Beijing is set to hold a public hearing on taxi fare changes in both the flag-down fare and phone-booking charges, the Municipal Development and Reform Commission said on Tuesday, adding that the proposed changes are expected to improve taxi phone-booking services.

The city's flag-down fare will increase from 10 yuan ($1.60) to 13 yuan and a 1-yuan fuel surcharge will be introduced. The proposal also calls for the per kilometer charge to rise from the current 2 yuan to 2.3-2.6 yuan.

Taxi drivers in the capital are expected to earn up to 6,000 to 6,800 yuan after the fare increase.

According to the commission, the proposed adjustment for phone booking charges will ensure that extra charges go to the drivers to cover their costs, in order to ensure successful bookings for passengers.

The proposal also raises the fare for slow driving and waiting during rush hour, aimed at encouraging cabs in the capital to operate during rush hour.

Wang Limei, secretary general of the China Road Transport Association, said in an interview that taxis shouldn't be viewed as the "first choice of transportation" in the city. They should serve people who have little alternative but to use them. However, some people regard taxis as a kind of common commute vehicle, she said.

Reducing the difficulty of catching a taxi during rush hour requires an overhaul of the taxi industry. In addition, an integrated measure for improving phone-booking services should also be adopted to effectively ease the problem.