 |
|
| Beijing's cabbies get a lift |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-11 14:05:09 |
|
The Beijing Municipal People's Government has announced that it will halve the monthly fees that taxi drivers pay to their companies for May and July to lessen the impact of SARS. This temporary policy is regarded as a timely assistance to the businesses hit hardest by the virus.
So far, the impact of SARS has fallen unevenly across China's economy. Taxi drivers are among those most directly hit by the business－reducing effects of the capital's virus alert.
"There have been few passengers since the SARS outbreak. I have to wait at neighborhood communities instead of the usual wandering around for business," said a taxi driver.
Since not all households in Beijing can afford private cars, taxis are a vital part of Beijing's transport system and an important means for people traveling across the big city every day. An average cab driver normally earns around 850 US dollars a month, of which he hands 600 over to taxi companies in monthly fees. Reducing earnings put their monthly average net income to 250 dollars a month.
However, the sharp drop in trade due to public fears over the disease, has inevitably brought down the incomes of taxi drivers and discouraged them from working. Their income has decreased sharply since the outbreak of SARS a month ago. Though the amount varies from driver to driver, over recent weeks cab drivers have been left with almost nothing in their pockets after they have paid taxi company fees and filled up their tank with gas.
The new temporary move from the city government is undoubtedly a timely assistance to drivers.
"We need to maintain the regular operation of the city. So cab drivers can not stop working though SARS is affecting their business. But on the other hand, the government needs to help these cab drivers to overcome this difficult period. Our measures are to relieve both the mental and the economic pressure on drivers under the SARS threat," said Liang Jianwei from Taxi Admin. Division of Beijing Transportation Bureau.
"We appreciate the government's consideration for us. We cab drivers, as the symbol of the normal function of the city, should also make sacrifices to the city－wide war on SARS," said a taxi driver.
There are 630,000 cab drivers in Beijing. The 50％ cut in their monthly fees is expected to boost drivers' enthusiasm to work during this sluggish period. Such policies targeting specific sectors hit hardest by SARS are regarded essential for shoring up public confidence.
The taxi business is just one of the industries bearing the economic brunt of the SARS epidemic. The government is trying to ease the burden placed on a range of sectors, as they cope with the disease's fallout. Their moves could be essential for the survival of these industries.
|
|
Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
