Thumbs down for London cabs
Updated: 2012-02-07 08:25
By Xu Junqian (China Daily)
|
|||||||||
In the past week, more than 30 of the 50 drivers of the new cab have suspended their contracts with the Hangzhou Foreign Tourism Taxi Company and handed back their vehicles because of sluggish business.
"Business has been very poor," said a driver surnamed Chen. "I feel like I've been driving an invisible car all day long, ignored by most of the passengers on the road, even if they are desperately in need of a ride.
"Many illegal taxis have made more money than mine."
Chen had expected to make a windfall from the "fancy eye-catching black cab" when he applied for it last August. Getting a taxi is like "winning a lottery" in Hangzhou, home to more than 8.7 million people but only 8,000 taxis.
The fleet of 50 purpose-built Englon TX4 taxis first hit the road during the National Para Games last September to help transport athletes with disability, and were kept in operation under the supervision of Hangzhou Foreign Tourism Taxi Co.
![]() |
Drivers of Englon TX4 cabs wait at the Hangzhou Foreign Tourism Taxi Company on Jan 31 to suspend their contracts in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Wang Haoxing / for China Daily] |
Relief reaches isolated village
Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
Earth Day marked around the world
Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
![]()
|
![]()
|