Shanghai Hongqiao Hub will implement a “short-distance operation model” for taxis. What do citizens and taxi drivers think?
As an important transportation hub in Shanghai, Hongqiao Hub not only includes Hongqiao Railway Station and Hongqiao Airport, but is also surrounded by shopping malls and large residential areas, resulting in a complex traffic situation. Previously, many citizens reported poor experiences when hailing taxis at Hongqiao Hub, facing complaints and even disdain from drivers for short trips. Many netizens also expressed that while refusing to take short trips is inappropriate, they can understand the drivers’ feelings.
To address this issue, Hongqiao Hub in Shanghai will introduce a “short-distance operation mode” for taxis, which is currently undergoing internal testing without passengers. What conditions must be met to access the dedicated short-distance return lane? How do taxi drivers and citizens view this?
Recently, taxi stands at Hongqiao Hub (Hongqiao Railway Station and Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2) have erected signs indicating “Dedicated Short-Distance Return.” Currently, three dedicated short-distance return lanes have been set up at Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 and the south and north exits of Hongqiao Railway Station.
The barriers at the dedicated short-distance return lanes are similar to those at regular parking lots, with the main difference being that they operate by scanning the vehicle’s license plate and comparing it with data uploaded from the taxi meter to the travel platform and the city’s big data center. If the requirements for short-distance trips are met, the barrier will lift, saving time in the queue and allowing direct access to the pick-up point.
“The system needs to confirm whether the starting point is Hongqiao Hub, how many kilometers were traveled in between, and the total time taken,” said Li Jie, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Taxi and Car Rental Industry Association, in an interview with The Paper. He explained that if a taxi wants to use the dedicated short-distance return lane to wait for passengers, it cannot pick up passengers at another location in between. “For example, if a driver picks up a short-distance fare from Hongqiao Hub and drops the passenger off at their destination, but then finds they have time left and picks up another fare on the way back, they cannot use the dedicated lane even if they haven’t exceeded the time limit. The starting point must be Hongqiao Hub,” Li Jie clarified.
Li Jie revealed that unlike the manual issuance of short-distance tickets at Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Hub has higher data requirements, necessitating that the vehicle’s GPS system is fully operational. The testing period mainly focuses on the technical support, including GPS positioning and the use of the taxi meter.
He further stated that data will be sent to the big data center, where the system will verify whether several standards are met. If a taxi meets the short-distance criteria, it will receive a “compensation opportunity” to access the dedicated return lane. When the driver arrives at the lane, the data will be quickly reviewed in the background, and if all conditions are met, the barrier will automatically open. If any condition is not met, the barrier will remain closed. Taxi companies are actively promoting this to drivers, clarifying the relevant conditions. If all conditions are met but the barrier does not lift, drivers can appeal to their company, which can verify through their travel platform and the big data center. If it is confirmed that the conditions are met or if there is a GPS signal issue, a compensation opportunity can be granted, but it must be used within three days, and generally, only one compensation is allowed per day.
Li Jie also mentioned that the criteria for short-distance returns will be further validated and refined during testing, with plans for the new model to be officially implemented early next year. Given the complex traffic at Hongqiao Hub, which often experiences congestion and long entry and exit times, the exact definition of a short distance in terms of kilometers and the time required for entry and exit will need to be determined through testing to find the optimal parameters.
Taxi drivers: Good news, hope for relaxed time limits
Most taxi drivers view this new model as good news and support its implementation, although some are still in a wait-and-see phase. “I think it’s great, really good news; this is a step forward,” said taxi driver Mr. Zhang, who suggested that the short-distance limit be set at 10 kilometers, as the Longbai residential area is about 9 kilometers from Hongqiao Railway Station, and many passengers travel there. He hopes it will be included. He also hopes the time limits can be relaxed, as the area around Hongqiao Hub often experiences congestion, and empty taxis cannot access elevated roads, which may affect return times.
“The starting point is good, but I think the effectiveness is still uncertain,” said taxi driver Mr. Zhan. He noted that this is good news for drivers, especially when they have to wait in long lines only to receive a short fare, which can lead to frustration. “This also positively addresses the drivers’ concerns about long wait times.” However, Mr. Zhan candidly mentioned that a lack of passengers and slow business is also an issue. “Ride-hailing services are in competition; how do passengers choose? When it’s windy, rainy, icy, or extremely hot, our business tends to improve.”
Citizens: Short-distance taxi rides are no longer awkward, and drivers can earn more
“This is great and very humane. Short-distance passengers no longer feel awkward, and drivers can earn more,” said Ms. Wang, a resident of Qibao, who usually travels to and from Hongqiao Hub. “My home is about 7 kilometers from Hongqiao Railway Station, and I know taxi drivers often wait a long time, so I feel embarrassed to call a taxi for short trips.”
Ms. Wang recounted an experience of hailing a taxi from Hongqiao Airport to her home, where she encountered a driver complaining. However, upon understanding the situation, she realized that taxi drivers were frustrated mainly because they felt it was “not worth it” due to long wait times and low income from short trips.
Ms. Wang believes that the new model is an improvement over simply penalizing drivers after passenger complaints. By opening dedicated short-distance return lanes, the waiting time for drivers after short trips will be reduced, allowing them to take more fares in the same amount of time, thus increasing their earnings. Passengers can also worry less about potential conflicts with drivers and enjoy a more relaxed ride.
Mr. Zhang, another citizen, mentioned that he has not taken taxis much in recent years due to insufficient service quality, with ride-hailing services offering better prices. Regardless of future developments, he believes that lower prices are more attractive to passengers. Mr. Zhang emphasized that taxis need to improve their service quality to meet the standards expected of a professional service to attract more passengers.
