During the Chinese lunar new year period, local authorities in Wanyuan County, Shanxi Province, China, have issued a mandate that taxi drivers must provide a 10% discount to passengers holding tickets to scenic spots. Failure to offer the discount will result in a ninefold fine imposed on the driver, with no compensation provided by the authorities. This action has sparked dissatisfaction among taxi drivers.
According to a report by the “Huashang News” under the “Dafeng News,” a notice released by Zhongtian Taxi Company in Wanyuan County on February 7 stated: “With a ticket to any scenic spot in Wanyuan, passengers can enjoy a 10% discount when taking a taxi within the county. The discount period is from February 15, 2026 (Lunar December 28) to February 23, 2026 (Lunar January 7).”
The notice states that if taxi drivers fail to provide the discounted fare to ticket-holding tourists or charge them without using the meter, they “will be fined ten times the fare amount upon discovery or report, and their operations will be suspended for training.”
The release of the notice has led to discontent among taxi drivers. Liu Zhuang (a pseudonym), a taxi driver, expressed to the media: “According to policy, subsidies should be provided by the relevant departments for policy benefits, but we drivers have to bear the cost to participate in the activities.” Furthermore, “the scenic spot parking lots do not offer us free parking, and the daily fees paid to the company have not been reduced. All the pressure from the policy is placed on us drivers, which I find hard to understand.”
A staff member of the Wanyuan County Tourism Bureau told the media that the discount policy is only for tourists and does not include any subsidy policy for drivers.
As per official regulations, tourists presenting a ticket to any scenic spot in Wanyuan on the same day can enjoy a 10% discount when consuming at partnered hotels, restaurants, and taxi services within the county.
Liu Zhuang mentioned that taxi business in Wanyuan County is relatively dull, with drivers earning around 200 yuan after running for 12 hours. “Taking into account the costs of buying a car, insurance, and daily expenses amounting to 100 yuan, not including charging, maintenance, repairs, meals, and other expenses.”
After the news was released, over two hundred netizens commented, with most expressing sympathy for the taxi drivers.
Netizen “Da Fang Nao Dai” stated: “Tourists enjoy the discounts, the Tourism Bureau gains reputation, the taxi company fulfills its mission, but only the drivers receive nothing and end up losing money.”
Public information reveals that Wanyuan County is under the jurisdiction of Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, China. The county boasts scenic spots such as the Flying Cloud Tower, Li Family Courtyard, Hou Tu Temple and Qiu Feng Tower, and the Gufeng Mountain Scenic Area, with views of the Gufeng and Jiwang mountains, and where the Yellow River and Fen River converge.