Important things to know before you take a ride

1. Taxis should have a logo light on the top of the car. Around the driver's seat is a transparent shield to protect the driver. A meter and an illuminated vacancy disk on the dashboard are also necessities for a cab. Without all these things, the taxi is probably unlicensed. You have no rights if injured in an unlicensed taxi.

2. Remember to take the receipt. If you leave something in the car the receipt will help.

3. Take down the diver's working number if you want to complain.

4. Cab drivers are not allowed to take a route without the permission of their passengers.

5. You can find the claim hotline of the taxi company at the back of the diver's seat, or just call 962000.

6. Every cab should accept a transport card. If the driver refuses, the passenger has the right to take a free ride instead.

7. There is a special kind of cab in bottle-green. These cabs are not allowed to go into the outer ring of the city.

8. Taxis of big companies ban smoking inside the car. Pooling in the city is also banned.

9. Don't try to hail a cab at a crossroads, as taxi drivers cannot stop their cars within 30 meters of an intersection.

10.You may find cabs scarce in rush hours and on rainy days. Your best bet is probably to head for places taxis haunt, such as restaurants. Taxi facts

Taxi hotline: 96965

(English available)

Major taxi companies

Dazhong

Color scheme: Cyan

Call center: 96822

Simple English can be handled

Reservation surcharge: 4 yuan

Qiangsheng

Color scheme: Yellow

Call center: 6258-0000

No English service

Jinjiang

Color scheme: White

Call center: 96961

Simple English can be handled

Bashi

Color scheme: Green

Call center: 96840

Simple English can be handled

All other taxi operators are either small companies or private drivers. Two rings have been established to better administer these operators and to standardize services:

Blue Union: A ring of 18 medium-sized taxi companies.

Color scheme: Dark blue

Premium Cab: A ring of small taxi companies and private drivers who are required to pass a series of strict exams.

Color scheme: Red

Fares for daytime

(5am-11pm):

11 yuan (0-3km)

2.1 yuan a km (3-10km)

3 yuan a km (more than 10km)

Waiting 5 minutes equals traveling 1 kilometer

Fares for night operation (11pm-5am)

14 yuan (0-3km)

2.7 yuan (3-10km)

4 yuan a km (more than

10km)

Waiting 5 minutes equals traveling 1 kilometer

(Shanghai Daily September 12, 2008)