Shanghai Taxis: If you call them, they will come (for a fee)

Even though fares are said to be on the rise, Shanghai taxis are still pretty cheap. And usually -- if it is not raining, rush hour, or a national holiday -- you can call ahead and reserve a taxi with little or no problem. Imagine that, a taxi will come pick you up at your door at the time you request free of charge. What a country!

Oh wait ... um, yeah ... they're probably going to stop doing that:

Though there's still a category referred to as "call service charge" on many taxi receipts, it has been left blank since 1999, when cab firms canceled the service charge to promote business, industry insiders said.

However, growing competition, rising gas prices, and mounting operating costs of call center pushed taxi firms to reconsider.

The article didn't say when taxis would start charging for reservations or how much they will charge. If only we knew an "industry insider."

Also on Shanghaiist:
Shanghai taxi users, how many stars do you have?

Photo from Wang Jian Shuo.