My friend dropped an email and complain about waiting for half an hour or even one hour for taxi everyday – seems he is living in a very “decent” place that even taxi won’t go there to break the peace of the area. He asked if there is any telephone number he could call to book a taxi. He does not speak Chinese.
Well. There are many numbers to call in Shanghai for taxi services, but not many offers English service, so far as I know.
My Preferred Call Center – Qiang Sheng Taxi
After the previous year, I have formed the habit to dial +86-21-62580000 for taxi services. There are many other lines, like 96822 from Da Zhong taxi, but the chances to get through to Qiang Sheng call center is much higher (Dazhong’s taxi is much better though).
I checked with the center. They don’t have special English service line, but there are some agents who are able to answer English phone calls. So just call it and say whatever language is not Chinese. If an operator cannot understand you, chances are, he/she switch it to a person capable of English.
Lunar Calendar is Moon Calendar
Lookup and see the moon tonight – it is full moon, and I know it is the 15th day of the 9th month in lunar calendar. The beauty of Chinese lunar calendar is, it always exactly meets the face of the moon.
About taxis – does anyone knows why the taxis outside Longyang Station (a Maglev terminal) will not drive unless for 100 RMB, no matter where ?
I think it is illegal of course, they should go by the meter, but I can’t figure out their purpose, especially when the Maglev train runs much faster to the airport !
I have similar experience . I stopped and three or four taxis the other day at Zhangjiang Subway Station with my bike and was turned down by those drivers. They all told me they cannot (or I prefer the word “unwilling” to ) take me. The only reason I can find to explain this turning down is my bike.
This confused me, ’cause in Beijing I could easily find a taxi when I have to carry my bicycle. Why in Shanghai I cannot? If you know some taxi in Beijing are still Xialil, the back of which is smaller than that of Shanghai taxi, my experience can be hardly explained as “no space to hold your bicycle”.
I have similar experience . I stopped three or four taxis the other day at Zhangjiang Subway Station with my bike and was turned down by those drivers. They all told me they cannot (or I prefer the word “unwilling” to ) take me. The only reason I can find to explain this turning down is my bike.
This confused me, ’cause in Beijing I could easily find a taxi when I have to carry my bicycle. Why in Shanghai I cannot? If you know some taxi in Beijing are still Xialil, the back of which is smaller than that of Shanghai taxi, my experience can be hardly explained as “no space to hold your bicycle”.
Eva, as a matter of curious, how you can fit a adult size bicycle into a sedan like taxi in Beijing.
I went to Beijin last week,I find the subway line 1 is old and shabby.Many taxi is old,some new taxi car is hyundai.
shirley
Hi! Stephen,
You are right – I cannot put the whole bike into a taxi, having to leave its one wheel outside. Many taxi drivers I met in Beijing were willing to help me to fit my bike in a right way that won’t affect traffic.
Hi Eva,
Those taxi drivers in Beijing are really helpful, but try not to do the same again as the the air flow of the vehicle while in motion can easily blow the engine exhaust into the cabin through the open tailgate and render both driver and passenger toxicated.
Would suggest you dislocate the front wheel and fit it into the rear seat of the sedan and I am sure the Shanghai taxi drivers will find it acceptable.
I WANT TO STUDY ENGLISH EVERY DAYS BUT I NO HAVE AN EXPERENCE SO I FOUND MORE DIFICULTLY BECAUSE LAST TIME I NEVER STUDY ENGLISH ONLY STUDY BY YOURSELP I WANT YOU TO TEEL ME HOW DO I CAN STUDY ENGLISH GOOD?
Tourism is one of the biggest income-generators of a country. If you are the host, you have to show courtesy or else your visitors will turn their backs away. Likewise, visitors should show the same respect or else you will not be welcomed. One of the reliable transport services I know is taxi service in Virginia. They offer courteous and prompt service at fair and reasonable prices.
China now is open, and become internationalise everyday, especially in big cities, at train station or other public places, there are some english speaking counter, I am 26, I think in our generation we must good in english.