Disabled turning to London taxis

Disabled people are making use of Shanghai's new "London taxis" as hoped, accounting for 10 percent of fares for the more spacious cabs.

A fleet of 50 China-made Geely TX4 cabs hit Shanghai's streets on October 11, with priority given to bookings from people with wheelchairs.

Featuring folding seats and accessibility fittings — including a foldable ramp — these can be booked through the dispatch system of operator Shanghai Qiangsheng Taxi Company.

Two weeks on from their introduction, drivers say that on average they have two to three passengers with wheelchairs each day — accounting for about 10 percent of their daily business.

But hailing from the road remains the main customer source, they added.

The gold-colored cabs are larger than standard taxis, and to reflect higher costs the flag-down fare is 19 yuan (US$3.09), 5 yuan more than usual.

After the first 3 kilometers, the meter goes up at 2.6 yuan per kilometer — 0.2 yuan more than standard.

But cabbies said the London taxi is a gas guzzler and despite the price hike some are seeing earnings drop.

"I pay 100 yuan more in gas for the London cab compared to standard models," cabbie Wang Liming told Shanghai Daily.

"Due to the higher flag-down price, we're also supposed to hand in more to the taxi company for renting the vehicle."

"All this will lead to a 40 percent cut in my profits."

However, Qiangsheng said it would decide on the vehicle rent from London cab drivers according to practical situations.

It might also consider a subsidy policy to ensure that the drivers won't earn less than before, said officials.

Another London taxi driver, Zhang Jun, said the distinctive cab had helped him attract more long-distance rides over the past two weeks.

"Some regular customers learned that I now drive the London cab, and make bookings with me."

The Shanghai Transport Commission said earlier that it was working on preferential policies providing discounts for disabled passengers.

Qiangsheng said another 150 London taxis will be gradually introduced next year.