Travel by taxi  Last updated: Apr 27, 2010

Currently, Shanghai has nearly 50,000 cabs in service. About 4,000 posh cabs have been launched for the World Expo and will the only cabs permitted to enter the 7-square-kilometer controlled area of the Expo site 24 hours a day. They can also be waved down anywhere in the city outside of the controlled area.

The cabs -- 3,650 Volkswagen Tourans and 350 Buick LaCrosse Hybrids – are equipped with the latest GPS devices and are environmentally friendly, saving 15 percent of petrol and reducing emissions by 15 percent emissions compared to ordinary taxis. Phone or online reservations can be made for these cabs.

Ordinary taxis are barred from the area between 7am and 9pm. The controlled area will be opened to after 9pm to pick up late night visitors.

The standard fare for all taxis is 12 yuan (US$1.76) that covers the first 3 kilometers, plus 2.40 yuan for every additional kilometer. A 30 percent midnight surcharge applies from 11pm to 5am. If you take a taxi from People’s Square to the junction between Gaoxiong Road and Xizang Road South, which is near the Expo Site, it may cost you about 16 yuan (US$2.34). It will be more expensive if you are caught in a traffic jam, as Shanghai taxis charge waiting fees of one yuan per minute.

The hotline for the special Expo taxi is 96822.

Language will not be an obstacle for foreign visitors as the hotline will provide English and Chinese services. Expo cab drivers can also speak simple English.

Visitors looking for further language help can dial another hotline, 962288.

For more complete guide to taxi services in Shanghai, please visit
http://live.shanghaidaily.com/guide_taxi.asp