Taxi flag fall in Shenzhen will be lowered by the end of November, finally assuaging public discontent over the highest flag fall charge on the mainland at 12.5 RMB (1.83 USD).
Details were announced in a statement by the city's price watchdog yesterday (Aug 11).
The adjustment approved by the city government drops flag fall charges for red and yellow cabs from 12.5 RMB for the first three kilometers to 10 RMB for the first two kilometers.
Red taxis are free to run inside and outside the special economic zone (SEZ) while yellow taxis are restricted to the SEZ.
The mileage cost will remain at 2.4 RMB per kilometer and each cab can charge a 30 percent empty return fee for distances beyond 25 kilometers from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
From 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., cabs can charge an additional 30 percent "night fee" based on the flag fall and mileage.
Flag fall for green taxis operating outside the SEZ will be adjusted to six RMB per 1.5 kilometers from seven yuan for the first two kilometers, including a one-yuan fuel surcharge. The mileage cost will increase from 1.6 RMB per kilometer to 2.4 RMB per kilometer with cabs allowed to charge a 30 percent empty return fee for distances beyond 15 kilometers from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
From 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., there will be an additional 20 percent night surcharge based on the flag fall and mileage costs.
Authorities will allow an interim period for green taxies from Aug 15 to Sept 10 and red and yellow taxies from Oct 8 to Nov 25 to allow time to adjust their meters. Taxies that don't adjust their meters after the period will be disqualified from operating. The fuel surcharge for green taxies will be automatically cancelled after the fare adjustment. Authorities will alow a two-month observation period before initiating the fare and fuel adjustmen.
The price adjustment was made after a hearing in June.
Meanwhile, a taxi fuel surcharge will float with the change of fuel prices, the statement said.
The fuel surchage for green taxis will be raised by one yuan for every 1.28-yuan-per-liter increase in fuel prices. For red and yellow cabs, the surcharge will apply to every 0.87- yuan-per-liter increase.
(By Han Ximin)
