BEIJING - A parking lot in downtown Beijing is packed with vacant taxis and idle drivers, despite complaints about the city having too few cabs.

The cab drivers take naps, read news, smoke cigarettes and chat with each other. But at the same time, passengers across the city can be seen desperately waving their hands in a futile attempt to hail a cab.

People wait for taxis in the morning rush hour of Beijing, Jan 16, 2013. [Zou Hong/Asianewsphoto]

"The roads are too congested. If we get caught in a traffic jam, the fare wouldn't even be enough to cover the cost of gasoline," a driver surnamed Zhang said.

Zhang and more than 300 other cabbies regularly park their vehicles at this particular lot during rush hour to dodge passengers. The practice became more popular after municipal authorities started penalizing cabbies who refuse to take their passengers to the destinations they require.

In other Chinese cities, taxi drivers have also gotten flack for their service -- or rather, their lack thereof.

In Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province, taxi drivers have reportedly refused to take passengers unless they pay an amount of money greater than the officially established fare.

"Pay more or continue to freeze in the cold air," said one of 28 cabbies waiting outside a train station in downtown Xi'an. None of the drivers would start their engines unless passengers agreed to pay extra.

Chinese netizens have long complained about taxi services, grousing about long waits, exorbitant charges and poor service in general. Many believe the situation has worsened in recent years.

But the taxi drivers say they, too, are victims. Hefty franchise fees levied by taxi companies have left many drivers struggling with meager earnings, according to the cabbies.

Zhang said he and another driver who drive the same vehicle pay a total of 9,500 yuan ($1,529) to a taxi company every month. He works at least 26 days a month, but makes an average of just 3,000 yuan in net income.

"I would've quit this job a long time ago if I didn't have to pay college tuition for my child," Zhang said.

 

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