A taxi at your beck and call ... comes at a price
Print Edition
A TAXI whenever you need one is the promise of a new city service available through the WeChat instant messaging platform.
Launched this week, “Shanghai Taxi” is connected to the dispatch centers of Shanghai’s big four taxi companies and the company says that it can provide cabs according to a schedule submitted in advance.
This is likely to appeal to Shanghai residents as it is often difficult at peak times to get a cab.
However, Shanghai Taxi users must pay a 250 yuan (US$40.70) fee every month, plus a 4 yuan dispatch fee for each ride.
There is no limit on how often a customer can use cabs per month.
Managing director of the Shanghai Taxi operating company Guo Lizheng said part of the service fee will go to taxi companies, as well as funding maintenance of the platform.
“All taxis will be arranged one day in advance. The cabs are from the big four companies — Qiangsheng, Dazhong, Jinjiang and Haibo,” Guo told Shanghai Daily.
Guo said while cancellations with sufficient notice are acceptable, too frequent call-offs will be considered a breach of contract.
On the other hand, if a cab fails to arrive at scheduled time, compensation will be paid by the taxi company, added Guo.
Shanghai’s taxi companies have already been offering a similar service — picking up a regular customer from a set location at a fixed time.
However, according to Shanghai Qiangsheng Taxi Co, not all requests can be met, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
A member of staff at a Qiangsheng dispatch center said the company has stopped accepting fixed time bookings for peak periods.
As Shanghai Taxi is linked to 45,000 taxis through the four big companies’ dispatch systems, it can better distribute resources to meet demand, according to Guo.
Guo said the company plans to sign up 500 customers initially, and may extend it afterward.
Currently in Shanghai, some passengers reach private deals for a regular service with taxi drivers they are familiar with.
This is usually not disclosed to taxi companies.
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