GuangZhou might adjust the current starting price of taxis from 7 Yuan (with additional 2 Yuan for fuel surcharge) to 10 Yuan (no more fuel surcharge). The result of a March survey by the Guangzhou Public Opinion Research Center revealed recently that 57.9 percent of the surveyors consider this price unreasonable and 57.1 percent will reduce use of taxis if the starting price increases.

In the survey, 40 percent of the citizens “accept” the price of the taxi fee, 7.8 percent lower than that in 2008. 48.5 percent of the citizens “reluctantly accept” and another 11.5 percent say they can’t afford it.

The Guangzhou Bureau of Commodity Price said that they will hold a hearing before they increase the starting price of taxi. The adjustment will be in accordance to the prices of LPG gas. Some drivers worry that the hike will affect their business, “passengers may not accept the price psychologically even though the price is increased only 1 Yuan. The metro and bus in the city is more and more convenient.”