Beijing standardises taxi apps for mobile devices

Travellers looking to hail taxis faster now have four government-approved mobile apps to help them

Reading Time:2 minutes

Taxis line up in the midst of a heavy Beijing traffic jam. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 4:45pm, 26 Aug 2013Updated: 6:11pm, 26 Aug 2013

Getting a taxi just became slightly easier in Beijing, as the city government has finally legalised four official apps that will allow hurried citizens to find a cab with just a few swipes on their mobile device.

The four apps, Yida Dache, Yibu Jiaoche, Yaoyao Dache and Didi Dache, were originally made by third-party developers, but have now been standardised and made available for download on 96106, a website named after the city government's taxi service phone number.

All four apps, which are currently only available for Android phones, allow users to book a taxi for a fee of five to six yuan (HK$6-8), depending on whether the taxi is booked on the spot or four hours in advance.

Aside from cosmetic differences, the apps are all quite similar, Tech in Asia reported, adding that these four apps were Beijing transportation department approved options for users, potentially discouraging copycat apps from appearing on the Chinese iOS and Google Play stores.

Screenshot of the 96106 website, showing the new selection of book-a-taxi apps. Photo: SCMP Pictures

This effort at standardisation comes as a means to regulate the often chaotic market for book-a-taxi apps that has emerged in China’s top tier cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Many of these apps, which boast hefty fees and even bidding systems that allow users to find a taxi faster if they pay extra money, have come under fire from local governments.