BEIJING’S beleaguered cab drivers have been complaining for
years about the relentless growth of their operating costs, and
the city government’s stubborn refusal to allow them to raise
their taxi fares. The first proper increase in seven years,
including a 30% increase in the base fare, was authorised this
week. But even so, many drivers remain grumpy.  The fare
hike—from 10 yuan ($1.60) to 13 yuan for the first 3 km of any
ride, and from 2 yuan to 2.3 yuan for each additional
kilometre—went into effect nominally on June 10th, but drivers
will not see the extra money until their fare metres are
converted. This will be done on a rolling basis, officials say,
and the job will not be finished until the end of June.  Even
then, drivers say, they do not expect much of the money to come
their way. “The big meaty part of the crab stays with the taxi
company,” said one driver who contracts his car from Shouqi
(Capital Car), one of the biggest taxi companies in Beijing.
“The drivers just get to gnaw on the little cra