We’ve recently seen the arrival of the London (Hackney Carriage) taxi in Nanjing – got me doing a double-take when I first spotted one – forgot where I was for a moment. And what a welcome relief the big black beasts are from the cramped and often, knackered VW’s we usually have to squeeze ourselves into. At least London taxis allow you to spread your legs out, especially as you’re often stuck for ages in a traffic jam.
However there is yet another type of taxi showing up in Nanjing recently. As you can see from the pictures there’s only room for 2 passengers (and perhaps a toy poodle) and unless it has a summer canopy it’s really only suitable for spring and autumn.
I noted with amusement that it had a contact number on the back, presumably in case you wanted to book it for weddings.
Now I don’t really mind taking the tuk tuk type taxi which hang around the railway station, at the Presidential Palace and on Shi Gi Lu. At least they offer some privacy and shelter from the rain and heat but you’d have to be pretty desperate to get home to take the “bicycle made for two”.
After all we get enough staring on a daily basis, why would you willingly put yourself in a position where you are elevated on a moving platform for all of Nanjing to gawp at.