Traveling by taxi in Guangzhou is now more expensive since the fuel surcharge doubled on January 1st, 2011 to reach 2 yuan per trip. News of the increase has outraged the general public, triggering a strong negative response in the past few days.
Aware of the controversy surrounding this decision, the Guangzhou Price Control Bureau waited until Dec. 31st to announce the increase which is linked to their decision to raise the retail price of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), up from 3.63 yuan/L to 4.5 yuan/L.
The Administration blamed the increase in the price of LPG on their efforts to ensure a sufficient supply for buses and taxis. This explanation hasn't satisfied the public and they have complained about the absence of a public hearing before the policy was implemented.Facing the discontent, the administration has promised the policy would be scrapped if ever the retail price of LPG returns to 3.63 yuan/L, an unlikely prospect in the years to come.
