Getting Around in Shanghai - Part 1

As I sat in a taxi this afternoon, I thought carefully about my next blog - getting around in Shanghai.  

Now, to those who have never been to Asia, you might think this is pretty boring but if you have been here (or South America, or Italy) you might understand how exciting (and terrifying!!!!!) a single trip may be.  

Ok, the ways to get around here are:

walking

tuk tuk

scooter or motorbike

bus

car

ferry

taxi

metro (underground)

Maglev

Today I will concentrate on getting around by taxi or car.  First of all, be prepared that all bets are off here.  Everything that you ever thought you knew about traffic, being a passenger or pedestrian - get rid of them because the rules here are different!!!!!  There aren’t any!!!!!!!

Let’s start with a few gems.  Any trip I take by taxi, I see at least 3 cars with no license plates.  How does that happen, you ask?  WHO  KNOWS! (It is just the way it is!)

Now, taxis and general traffic.  Ohhhhh, this is a big one.  To start off, the licensed (and most unlicensed) taxis have covered seats.  This looks like white, fitted sheets over the seats and headrests.  I guess it means that things are clean and I suppose their wives wash them every night.  (I have never seen ANY female taxi drivers.)  However, it DOES mean that you cannot fasten your seatbelts!  And this is the type of driving that would  most benefit from wearing seatbelts!

Shanghai taxi

The difference between licensed and unlicensed taxis?  Licensed taxis have a meter.  If they are local taxis (see below - orange taxis) the meter starts at 10 Yuan (NZ$2).  If they are “other” taxis, the meter starts at 12 Yuan(NZ$2.50).  Overall, licensed taxis are more reliable for the newbies here as the others will rip you off if they can.  With the unlicensed taxis they are actually quite reliable BUT you must arrange your price beforehand.  Even then, if they think you don’t know the price, they will try to rip you off and because they are just people with cars, they don’t have to pay all the license fees, so if you don’t know the prices, stick to metered cars!

Local "orange" taxi

Then there are local taxis.  Not all taxis can go everywhere.  In my area of Shanghai the orange taxis have  radius in which they are allowed.  I am not sure how you are supposed to know this, but before you get into a taxi, if you are not sure, it pays to ask them first.  They are not trying to be difficult - they simply are not allowed outside of their area.  

Today I was in the fastest taxi so far.  120 km / hr in the city - weaving in and out - nearly killing pedestrians, but very cool, calm and collected.  As you see, I did make it home in one piece, but how, I am not sure!!

Since I have been here in Shanghai, I can tell you, on many occasions, I have seen the following:

1.  a 2-lane road with 3 or 4 lanes of traffic

2.  weaving in and out (YES, even between trucks! Only an inch or two to spare!!!!)

3.  no respect for red lights - in fact it is sport to go through them honking vigorously to ensure  your safe passage!

4.  honking at everything that moves (and some things that don’t!)  This, I have worked out, is to give spatially-challenged people fair warning that you are there and to warn them not to step out sideways without looking.

5.  barriers for road works placed in the middle of the road - no warning, just there

6.  going the wrong way onto a motorway (highway) offramp!!!  I kid you not.  This is quicker, apparently???  Oh yes, you happen to be going the wrong way....oh well....

7.  pedestrians?  Oh, too bad.  You kill one you are in BIG trouble, but they are dead and you aren’t.  Pedestrians have to have 360 degree vision and acute peripheral awareness

Unfortunately I have not taken the photos this week.  Maybe it is because I was too scared to get the camera out.  In any case, they are internet photos.

However, next week, I will tell you about the Maglev (bullet train - speed freaks, salivate) - oh yeahhh, that is cool and I have photos!

xxx,

Shanghaisuz