Eleven people were killed and 20 hurt after an explosion destroyed a construction dormitory in Jiangsu Province on March 11. An initial investigation showed that the blast was triggered by the ignition of leftover aluminum powder.

Peter offered us a link to “4-Working Safely with Aluminum Powder” on the Website of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety.

The guide explains the dangers associated with aluminum powder (uncoated) and other safety issues.

Shanghai Daily welcomes feedback and discussion from our readers and thanks Peter for his contribution.

The story goes like this:

Posted: 2007-10-8 18:02:31
Name: Roger
Age: 40-59
Nationality: France
I came back yesterday evening to Hongqiao airport and had a small problem with a taxi :

As it was overcrowded, we waited patiently for one hour to get a taxi and when we finally got one, he drove us for a few hundred meters, found out that our house was not far enough (maybe around a 20 yuan drive) for him and dropped us (my exhausted four years old kid, I and our heavy luggage) outside the airport!

I took a picture of the license plate (E V0920) of this driver and I wanted to complain to the Shanghai Public Transportation Management Bureau but they do not speak English. One of my Chinese friend called them and they started to ask if the driver charged us some fees and if we had a receipt !!?? As he drove us a few hundred meters, he did not have the nerve to charge us (obviously) so this efficient public servant told us that there is nothing they can do! When my friend asked them how one should get back home from Hongqiao Airport if they live close to the airport like Gubei or Fthe rench/German school (which means a lot of expats and probably one million Chinese), he replied that we have to find a nice driver!!!!

Where can we SERIOUSLY complain?

After reading the story, we couldn't help asking ourselves: What has gone wrong with Shanghai's taxi industry?

The city's taxi service used to be considered the best in China, not only because the cabbies are honest and always use the meter, but also because the city has a good management system to hear complaints and make sure that anyone who breaks the rules will be heavily punished.

However, the recent rising number of foreigners' complaints has almost washed away that impression. Our Chinese British member Nancy Zhang said: "Almost every foreign friend has been cheated by cabbies. I'm luckier because I can speak mandarin and I have standard pronunciation.

"The moment they know you are a foreigner, you'll be ripped off," she said.

Maybe that's an exaggeration, but to some extent, it demonstrates our expats' general feeling towards the city's taxi service.

Well, we've informed our colleagues in the Metro department of this complaint and they promised to look into this issue.

Besides that, we'd like to offer some more tips for expats to avoid being ripped off.

*    Generally speaking, cabbies from big companies are reliable and less likely to cheat passengers, even foreigners. So be a little picky and hail cabs from big companies, such as Dazhong, Qiangsheng, Jinjiang, Bashi, Lanse Lianmeng or Haibo. Details about cab companies can be found at Live in Shanghai by clicking here. Try to avoid hailing cabs from small companies or run by self-employed cabbies, whose cars are dark red. Well, by saying that we're not being fair to those honest cabbies in such cars. But we are here to cut expats' RISKS of being ripped off. So, sorry guys.

* If possible, take airport shuttle buses, or use the Metro or Maglev instead of taxis. Shuttle buses, especially those at Pudong International Airport, have good facilities and are comfortable. They also have extensive lines reaching many key parts of the city where expats are prone to go. You can hail a taxi after you get off a shuttle bus or at Metro station. You will find more taxis are available and the chances of being ripped off will be smaller. For more airport shuttle bus information, click here.

* If you take a Maglev, use Metro Line No.2 after you get off the Maglev. That’s the best way to avoid being cheated by cabbies hoarding at the Maglev terminal, hunting naive first-timers to the city. Shanghai's Metro network is extensive enough for you to reach most of your destinations. We hear more cabbie-cheating cases at the Maglev terminal than any other places in town. Some cabbies there are even running fake cabs.

* All Shanghai cabbies must give passengers receipts printed out from meters. If a cabbie gives you a handwritten receipt, then the cabbie is cheating.

* Shanghai cabbies are not allowed to pick up a passenger, ask the destination, and then kick them out of their cars. The actions in such order are defined as “refusal to serve” and will be punished. So if you sit into a cab, the driver has no reason whatsoever to drive you out of the car until he finishes the trip. Of course, it's okay if the drivers don't pull over to let you into their vehicle if they don't ask your destination. You can complain to the local taxi authority by calling 962000-0 (press * to wait if the operator is busy). If things turn really bad, call police at 110.

*      If you want to lodge a serious complaint, collect as much evidence as possible, such as taking a picture of the cabbie and car plate, and getting a receipt.

We'll continue to pay attention to local the taxi authority's response towards this complaint and keep informing our readers how to deal with local cabbies.

For a happy experience with a Shanghai taxi driver, click here.

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