Beijing resident Li Yang and her husband were told by a taxi driver they had to pay 100 yuan ($16) if they wanted to take his cab from Sanyuanqiao Station on Subway Line 10 to Wangjing, a distance of about six kilometers that usually costs less than 20 yuan. When the couple attempted to report the driver, the cabbie attacked Li's husband and gouged his eyes. Have you ever been fleeced by taxi drivers, especially late at night or during a storm? Do you still take taxis under such circumstances? Is it common for taxi drivers in your home country to cheat passengers? What can be done to stamp out this behavior? Xiang Xiangping hit the streets to find out.

Biudhiam Cynddi, real estate agent, Egypt

I have experienced such fleecing, but I always refuse to pay. I know it's against the regulations of their taxi companies and it isn't good for passengers. In Cairo, there are many illegal taxi drivers who charge very high prices to foreigners and sometimes even locals. It's hard to crack down on them because they are spread out across the city. These drivers should be punished severely if they break the rules.

Meng Yueyuan, online editor, China

I've never been fleeced by taxi drivers. If a taxi driver asks for an unreasonable fare when it's hard to get a cab, I refuse to take their taxi. I'll record some evidence of their taxi, but if the driver becomes violent it's not worth it because personal safety is far more important. I think the government really should take action to solve this problem by tightening supervision.

Michael Cliffe, shopkeeper, New Zealand

Cases like this rarely happen in New Zealand. I usually take a taxi even if they are nearly impossible to get and the driver tries to fleece me. I won't bother collecting evidence to report the driver so he or she can be punished. If you agree on the price negotiated with the driver and they take you home safely, it's not necessary to cause trouble with them. 

Zhou Xuejin, business manager, China

I think if I have no option other than to take an illegal taxi, I'll record their details for sure. I don't know who I should give their details to or which department is responsible. If I can't find a practical solution, I'll expose it to the public and let Web users condemn the driver. Ideally, I'd really prefer to depend on the government to manage such problems.

Moris Dussley, teacher, Sweden

I've never had such an experience before because I choose to stay at home at night or when there's a big storm. If I unfortunately come across such a driver, I'll definitely say no because there are other options. I'll take a photo of the driver and his car discreetly if possible.

Millena Sahji, tourist, India

It's really bad that these kind of taxi drivers fleece people. It goes against rules and morals. I won't accept the fare if in such a situation, and will oppose it with other passengers together to persuade the driver to offer the normal fare. The phenomenon of taxi drivers cheating passengers is common in India, but we don't have a particular department to tackle this problem.