what's wrong with the taxi and bus drivers!!!!!

Buses aren't too bad in Zhuhai... and I would say even better than Macau.
Taxis can be a problem in Zhuhai: some of them are unsafe, rude and dirty, especially down in the underground at the border. So many times I have had to put a greasy, stainy seat belt on. Luckily winter is coming so we will be able to open the windows and get some fresh air, haha!
When I come back from macau, I usually walk all the way to Mac Donald's to get a taxi there: there are much nicer once you get out of the border.
JJ

The border taxis also tend to be very selective about where they want to go.

Many times taxis have refused to go to Nanping District and just sat in the line waiting until they found a ride in the direction they were happy with.

Something should be done about this!

Perhaps, like at the Jiuzhou Gang (Port) taxi rank, they have a sign up saying you can't negotiate the fare, and taxis can't refuse to take you, (the sign is also in English too.)

Also, taxi change over times! What a point for "blah blah!" It seems that the changing times* have finally been staggered, somewhat, which means that from around 5.50 pm through to 7.30 pm it's next to impossible to get a taxi, unless you happen to be going in the direction of their shift change point.

Why is it that, here in Zhuhai, this system just doesn't work?

* 6 pm to 7 pm used to be the nightmare hour.

regards,

T. Tempest. DCA
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"I'd love a thousand words in a foreign language." Tang Yuchuan

When i used to go from Gongbei Port to Nan Ping Area in a taxi. I would just open the door put my stuff in, get in, and then tell them where i was going and they would have to take me

I've done that on occasion too, but had the drivers refused to move, causing me to get flustered and slightly irritated (to put it mildly) resulting in my having to get out.

regards,

T. Tempest. DCA
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"I'd love a thousand words in a foreign language." Tang Yuchuan

i have never dared to take a bus in zhuhai.

try wanzai----by little boat. much better!

i did fight to the driver because he refused to drive my old parents---- i had to sit in and then tell he where we would like to go. when i told he that we were going to gongbei ,he asked we get off the car. while i was so anger. i shoot at him and told him: i know your service number and dare you say no agian , i will call the company.....
it works! finally , we were home. so ,next time, just jump in the car,remember the service number,then tell them where you want to go ....
good luck!

You should experience being a driver here! I find them (taxis) selfish,bullies ,no respect for road rules at all, think nothing of driving up a footpath on the wrong side , putting cyclists in danger, just to beat a red light, impatient, no regard for their fellow pedestrian and extremely dangerous. I see them open their door at lights and spit , often throw the remains of their breakfast out the window.
If I am driving on a narrow road or roadworks and they try to muscle and beep past me, I do my best not to give way or make room to let them pass. Coming out from the kerb , or side entrances they bluff (force) their way in front of others. I dont give way and they soon stop. They are the ultimate driving vulture.
I guess my first impression in China started me on my love for them !! I got off at the port on my first visit and had a Chinese adress sent by my friend, to help me find her place. I gave it to the driver, he drove me here there and everywhere. Pulled up and pointed to some Apartments somewhere and proceeded to charge me 120 rmb..i had no idea this was overcharging. So to cut a long story short....I found later I was only 2 streets from where I started !!!!Silly me . A policeman stopped and spoke english. He couldnt believe i was hauling a 40klg suitcase in dark streets 11pm at night !! They gave me a lift to Ninxi, my intended adress, 15 mins away.

The first time i got here i was at the border and the driver charged me 40RMB to get to Yuehai Hotel when i could have it for 10RMB. Bloody drivers. But thats still better than youlol. 120 RMB!!?! WTF!

I love the Zhuhai Taxi, it's like legalised dodgem cars. Hang on and enjoy the ride.
Make sure they use the meter and normally you will be fine. It certainly helps if you can speak the lingo, once you can talk to them in any sort of bad Mandarin they will normally not try to rip you off. If you reckon they have overcharged you, pay what should be correct (plus a bit more to be safe), get out and walk away. They can't make a fuss because they are in the wrong. This only applies if you have made the trip before and know the true value. The vast majority are fine. Re the Gonbei underground problem - just get in then tell them where you are going. It normally works.
My worst experience was trying to catch a taxi at 10pm in Bei Huo (as the shops were shutting), just as a thunderstorm set in. I was soaked, my girlfriend was soaked and people kept jumping in from of us to grab taxi's. Eventually we split up and I went to the other side of the road and managed to hail a taxi. I got in, told him where we were going and indicated we needed to pick up my gitrlfriend from the other side of the street. He refused (to pick her up), so I took my time, wound down both windows at the back (as in to call out to the girlfriend - and forgot to wind them up) and took my time to get out. I was so angry and so wet and cold and with broken eggs and all the rest of it, all I could do was have a good laugh and seek some minor revenge.

Looks like I'm swimming against the tide here, but Zh taxis are fun and buses much better and cleaner than back in UK. No graffiti broken seats, or or offensive undesirables on them.

Taxis in Zh ? its like a lottery, sometimes a white knuckle ride other times a driver wanting to practice his English; and better than most (try GuangZhou, ShenZhen or Beijing, or even Thailand !!).

As others have said "be forceful and don't give up".

My only problem is wanting to go out and eat at the same time that as taxi drivers :)

Rgds Chris
Its an experience living in China, that's we're all here right ??

Yes, now I reject 7pm dinner appointments... what a shame!
JJ

"Perhaps, like at the Jiuzhou Gang (Port) taxi rank, they have a sign up saying you can't negotiate the fare, and taxis can't refuse to take you, (the sign is also in English too."

Actually a couple years ago there was a sign and a guard stationed at the taxi line in the underground in Gongbei and they would stop people jumping the line and enforce the no refusal policy. Didn't last long but it was great for a time. What I usually do when they don't want to take me (depending on how many other taxis are available or how pissed I am) is smile, say ok, and then start audibly reading their license number. They usually bitch and whine but they get the hint and go.