CHINA: Taxi drivers strike over rising costs in eastern city of Hangzhou

Record ID: 339971

  • Title: CHINA: Taxi drivers strike over rising costs in eastern city of Hangzhou
  • Date: 3rd August 2011
  • Summary: TRAFFIC AT JUNCTION NEAR BRIDGE POLICE CARS PARKED AT JUNCTION TAXI DRIVERS AND CROWD STANDING AT ROAD JUNCTION VARIOUS OF LONG LINE OF TAXIS PARKED UNDER BRIDGE SIGN ON TAXI READING 'NOT IN SERVICE'
  • Embargoed: 18th August 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China, China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA86QCHQIYM7LM1YCWT9KE142VE
  • Story Text: More than 1,000 taxi drivers in the Chinese tourist city of Hangzhou have walked off the job to protest about rising gasoline prices and congested roads, state media reported.
    Drivers say it is increasingly difficult to make money picking up fares and they still have to submit the bulk of their earnings to taxi companies.
    "The main thing is that we cannot make any money. What we can earn is only between 30 to 50 yuan (4 to 5 U.S. dollars) a day. Fuel and car rental costs are so high. So we have to go on strike," complained taxi driver Mr Niu.
    Local police and traffic regulators in Hangzhou were talking with drivers about their complaints, the official Xinhua news agency said, without elaborating.
    Drivers say they want to see fares increased to help them pay their costs.
    "I hope the government can increase the taxi fares so that it can be acceptable to all of the taxi drivers. What kinds of profits can we earn if our costs are kept so high?" asked Mr Niu.
    In early April, China increased retail diesel and gasoline prices by 5 to 5.5 percent to new record highs.
    The taxi drivers' strike, which began on Monday, marked the latest protest in China's transportation industry. Truck drivers at a container port in the financial hub of Shanghai staged a strike in May to highlight accelerating inflation.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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