By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: Taxis are messing up the price, the U.S told you!?
US Consulate Issues Warning About Taxis in China
2017-10-30 ThatsShenzhen
Now this happens in Shenzhen these days all the time.
The Consulate General of the United States in Guangzhou has issued a stark warning to American expats: beware of taxi drivers in China.
The alert was issued via email on October 27. It reads as follows:
“THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES IN GUANGZHOU IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE CONSULATE WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN CHINA. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD.
“Taxis are typically a safe means of transportation in China. However, recently there has been an increase in reports of some taxi drivers attempting to charge inflated fares for relatively inexpensive trips, in some cases resulting in verbal or physical confrontations when customers refused to pay these fares. When using taxis, please avoid any altercations with the driver. Rather, attempt to remove yourself from the situation. If a driver refuses to use the meter, take another taxi. Should you feel threatened, please make note of the driver’s name and license number and report the incident to the taxi company and/or police. Likewise, avoid unlicensed cabs.”
The email concludes by urging American citizens living in or visiting China to call the local police at ‘110’ if they encounter a dodgy cabbie.
The fact the Consulate General of the United States in Guangzhou has issued such a warning should come as no surprise: Guangzhou taxi drivers have something of a negative reputation, commonly associated with scams, fare-hiking and rigged meters. Most recently, a Canadian citizen was assaulted by an angry taxi driver only a block from the American consulate in Guangzhou, allegedly without provocation.
In rip-off cities or for unusual rides,,, settle on a fare first. Honestly, I prefer gypsy cabs a lot of the time. You can settle on a fare at the outset. It's those legitimate cabs that try to pull shit most of the time. Oh well,,, using cabs in Asia is a lesson often hard learned.
The most rigged thing in China are crime statistics. It's pretty safe out here but not as much as it seems to be, it's not Japan, lots of stuff happening that never gets reported to the cops or by the media. Always carry a knife (preferably switchblade) and learn how to use it, and don't worry about the metro bag scanners, they don't work.
Spiderboenz:
What's the use of carrying a knife/switchblade as a PPD if it is stuffed away in your bag?
RandomGuy:
In your pocket? The metro bag scanners should see that, right?
Ummm what do you do when the police and Taxi companies are working in collusion? This is China
