Post by The Dark Knight on Aug 24, 2024 21:12:35 GMT
For China's taxi drivers, smartphones are as important as seat belts
Taxi drivers need multiple smartphones to handle the various ride-hailing apps used by commuters. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi
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SHANGHAI -- Taxi drivers in China are facing cutthroat competition from ride-hailing apps, robotaxis and even flying cars, pushing some to use several smartphones in the battle for customers.
Ride-hailing services have been popular in China since early in the technology's history. Didi, the leader with a market share of about 70%, was founded in 2012. Domestic ride-sharing app users in China exceeded 500 million in December last year.
More than 7.1 million licenses for ride-hailing service drivers have been issued as of June, doubling in three years, according to the Transport Ministry. Trips in June reached a record high 971 million.
"I've been finding most of my customers through Didi recently," Deng, a taxi driver working in Shanghai, said as he checked the app.
Didi offers trips from private drivers as well as from taxi companies. Rides can be called to a user's location, and the destination and payment are handled through the app, eliminating the need to explain anything to the driver.
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/For-China-s-taxi-drivers-smartphones-are-as-important-as-seat-belts