Cabbies from out of town could make up shortfall
- Source: Global Times
- [08:24 August 03 2010]
- Comments
People wait for taxis in Shanghai. Soaring temperatures have increased demand for taxis, exacerbating the shortage of drivers in the city. Photo: IC
By Chen Xiaoru
Shanghai transport authorities are looking into employing drivers that do not hold a Shanghai hukou (household registration) as they face increasing difficulty attracting people from the city to work as cabbies.
Huang Xiaoyong, deputy chief of the media office of Shanghai Municipal Transport and Port Authority, told the Global Times Monday that officials are thinking about making the move in the near future.
Auto trade magazine Auto007 reported over the weekend that, according to an anonymous official from Shanghai Dazhong Taxi Company, around 800 positions as taxi drivers will be made available for people without a Shanghai hukou this year for the first time. Applicants will have needed to live in Shanghai for more than two years and have a high school diploma.
"More taxis have been deployed following the opening of the Expo in May, but fewer Shanghai residents are willing to become taxi drivers, meaning the city is facing a serious shortage," an employee surnamed Hong from the Trade Association of Taxi and Automobile Leasing Services, the industry association of taxi companies, told the Global Times.
According to Hong, the major reasons that are turning locals off the idea of becoming a cabbie are the poor working conditions, long hours and low income.
"Fewer downtown locals are willing to take the job," said Hong. "Currently, drivers from the outskirts of the city make up more than 40 percent of the drivers doing business in downtown areas."
A taxi driver surnamed Chen from Shanghai Dazhong Taxi Company told the Global Times Monday that the high pressure of his job makes him feel like he is risking his life.
"I work at least 16 hours a day to earn an income of about 4,000 yuan ($590) a month," Chen said. "I am opposed to members of my family taking this job as it is too hazardous."
At least three taxi drivers have been reported by local media to have died on the job this year. Two lost their lives during disputes with customers, while the other death was reportedly related to fatigue from working long hours.
Chen said his company asks each taxi driver to pay a daily operation fee of 360 yuan ($53). "Most of my colleagues and I have to work overtime to ensure that we meet the fee while having enough to support ourselves," said Chen.
The monthly income of Shanghai taxi drivers averages around 3,000 yuan ($442), only half of the amount taxi drivers in Guangzhou can expect to make.
