Chinese taxi drivers use multiple apps at once to win customers

A taxi driver in China uses multiple devices and applications at the same time to find customers - Photo: NIKKEI ASIA

Nikkei Asia, citing the Chinese Ministry of Transport, reported that the ministry had issued more than 7.1 million operating licenses to ride-hailing drivers as of June, with the number of rides in June hitting a record high of 971 million.

"We are living in a new technology era where we find passengers on apps. So I bought multiple phones so I can find passengers on different apps," a taxi driver surnamed Tu told Nikkei Asia, pointing to the four smartphones in his car.

Of the four phones, Mr. Tu used one to call his colleagues, the other three to pick up customers.

Didi is currently the leading technology taxi service company in China with a market share of about 70%. From its establishment in 2012 to December 2023, more than 500 million passengers have used the company's taxi service, according to Nikkei Asia.

"Recently, my customers often take a ride through the Didi app," Mr. Dang, a taxi driver in Shanghai, told Nikkei Asia.

Didi offers both private taxis and taxis operated by companies. Such services have greatly supported drivers.

"When I was working for a taxi company, I could only go to work every other day, but since signing up for the Didi app, I can work every day," said a taxi driver surnamed Zhang.

However, as apps like Didi have developed, making it easier for many people to become taxi drivers, more people from other cities flocked to big cities, increasing competition among taxi drivers while incomes plummeted.

The average daily income of ride-hailing drivers in Guangzhou city was about 312 yuan (nearly $44) as of May, down 12% from the same period last year.

Mr. Truong said he had to drive from 6am to 5pm every day amid increasing competition among taxi drivers.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tai-xe-taxi-trung-quoc-dung-nhieu-app-cung-luc-de-gianh-khach-20240825144801274.htm