上海出租车调价：乘客每乘次多付2元

TAXI trips in Shanghai will cost at least 2 yuan (3 US cents) more from today.

上海出租车运价今起调整，乘客每次乘坐将增加2元支出。

The flag-down fare rises to 13 yuan from 12, and a fuel surcharge of 1 yuan per trip will also apply, the Shanghai Development and Reform Commission said yesterday.

昨日，上海发改委发出通知，上海出租车起步价由3公里12元调整为3公里13元，另外每车次增加1元燃油附加费。

Trips after 11pm will start at 18 yuan, including the fuel surcharge, compared to the current 16 yuan.

晚上11点之后，起步价由16元调整至18元，其中包含燃油附加费。

However, the new and old rates will co-exist among the city's approximately 49,000 taxis until the end of the month as it will take time for taxi firms to upgrade their meters, officials said.

考虑到出租车公司需要时间更新计量仪表，本月底前，上海总约49,000辆出租车将出现新老两种运价并存的局面。

Shanghai last raised taxi rates in October 2009.

上海出租车上一次调价时间为2009年10月。

"Now the price of everything seems to be increasing," said local resident Stephen Kong, adding that he will not be taking taxis as often as before. However, in an emergency or when the weather is bad a taxi is still essential, he said.

“现在物价普遍上涨。”某上海市民表示。他补充道，以后将少坐的士，不过在紧急情况或者天气糟糕时，仍然需要打的。”

Zhou Huai, deputy director of the city's transport and port administration, said he expected business to show a slight drop initially because of the price increase.

市交通港口局副局长周淮坦言，一般调价后一段时间内，出租车的出车次数会稍微减少。

Taxi driver Cao Yongzhen said he was afraid fewer passengers would choose taxis, especially for short trips.

的士司机曹某担心选择搭乘的士的市民将减少，尤其是短途。

And for longer trips, he said, they might turn to the Metro.

而长途的话，市民也许会转而选择地铁。

At present each cab makes an average of 34.5 trips each day, said Zhou.

周淮说，现在每辆的士每天平均载客34.5次。

Two drivers who share one taxi should be able to earn an extra 1,035 yuan a month from the one yuan fare rise.

对于两位司机轮班经营一辆出租车的情况，起步价上调1元后，每辆车每月将可以多赚1035元。

The city is also to intensify its crackdown on illegal cabs, Zhou said, as they may see an increase in business because of the rise in fares.

周淮称，政府将加大力度打击非法营运车辆，价格上涨后这些车辆生意可望增加。