Transportation

Also see [|Transportation]

Most teachers do not own or have access to a car in Shanghai. While you can buy one, lack of parking, cost, and proximity to work make owning unpopular.

Alternative forms of transportation include taxis, bikes, electric bikes, scooters and the metro.

Taxi drivers are rated by a system that awards stars for years of service, driving record, and other considerations. If you have a choice, take the four- or three-star driver, though these are rare in most areas of the city. Then again, the licensed driver may have sub-let his taxi to a less experienced driver. Generally speaking, though, Shanghai taxis are inexpensive and safe. Taxi companies vary and some enjoy a better reputation than others. If you have a choice, take the white, gold, or turquoise taxi over the red or white-and-checkered. If the driver doesn't doesn't display a license or refuses to use the meter, it's not a legal taxi; get out and take another taxi.

You can pay for a taxi with cash or with a transport debit card, which also works on buses, the metro, ferries, and light rail. Be sure to write your name on your transport card. It's been known that some especially clever taxi drivers will take your transport card and switch it with one that is out of money, then tell you that you don't have any funds.

When taking a taxi, **always** ask for a receipt (fa piao). It records the driver and car I.D. so that if you forgot anything in the taxi, you can track it down later. Caution: I once had a taxi driver at the airport argue with the man who supervised the taxi line. He clearly did not want to take me with my luggage and was loud and obnoxious to the point that I told the man supervising the line I was not sure I wanted to go with him - but he already had my luggage in the trunk (one of two pieces) and neither of the two men wanted to back down... with some trepidation, I got in the taxi, and once the driver saw me write down his registration number, he was as quiet as a lamb and actually drove under the speed limit. Moral: Be sure to write down the registration number if you are having problems!