General Information on Guangzhou's Taxis Service

With an increasing population and fast developing economy, Guangzhou faces a big problem caused by a lack of taxis.

The city now incorporates 84 taxi enterprises with 16,000 cabs on the streets. The number of taxis has not increased since 1999. The amount of empty taxis has dropped to no more than 30%, while the amount of occupied taxis has risen from 50% in 2003 to 70% today.

Compared to Beijing's 63 taxis per 10,000 people, and Shanghai's 27 taxis per 10,000 people, Guangzhou has a ratio of 35 taxis per 10,000 people, which is considered low for a major business city. The average time spent waiting for a taxi in Beijing and Shanghai is 5 to 10 minutes while in Guangzhou it is as much as 20 to 30 minutes.

In the past, taking a taxi was a privilege of the rich. But now the situation has changed with taxi usage becoming more popular generally. If one has the fare available is it possible to hail a taxi in Guangzhou immediately? The answer is negative.

 1. Now it is the time for Guangzhou's taxis to upgrade themselves for a new generation. Some of the old taxis were sent away and the new ones haven't come out yet.

 2. The motorcycle ban leads to more and more citizens choosing taxis as their main source of transportation.

 3. Shift changes for taxi drivers hasn't been set properly usually switching between 5pm. to 6 pm. Unfortunately this is the peak time for traffic as people finish their work and head to dinner.