During the pandemic, Xiao Jian, a 30-year-old from Hebei province, decided to work as a ride-hailing driver in Beijing after watching online videos about the industry’s high salaries. With debt from a failed supermarket business and no savings, he was forced to work with unfavorable vehicle leasing contracts with no down payment. (para. 1)In three months, he earned less than 3,000 yuan ($418) in total, but still had to pay 2,000 yuan in traffic fines and 400 yuan for vehicle damage. Frustrated, he soon quit and left with empty pockets (para. 2)(para. 3)(para. 4).
The ride-sharing industry in China has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, luring drivers with flexible hours and high earnings. It was a lucrative industry at first. But as the market saturated and local governments imposed stricter regulations, the industry became a stopgap for some, forcing people like Xiao Jian to quit in disappointment. (para. 5).
Liu Zhiqiang, one of the first drivers in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, earned up to 18,000 yuan a month when he started his career eight years ago. His monthly net income was up to 30,000 yuan in 2017. (para. 6)Gao Changyuan entered the industry in 2020 after failed business ventures. Lured by ads promising over 12,000 yuan a month, she paid a fee of 5,000 yuan to drive an electric car (para. 7)However, the job required long hours, often more than 10 hours a day, and the vehicle’s limited range of less than 200 kilometers made life difficult for her. She eventually paid extra to upgrade to a better car, but her income stagnated as the industry became overcrowded. (para. 9)(para. 10).
Tragedy and misfortune are not uncommon for drivers like Luo Ning. She has experienced terrible events, including an accident on her first day of work. Although she bought her own car to avoid high rental fees, her income dropped significantly within three years. Her monthly income is now between 3,000 and 4,000 yuan. (para. 11)(para. 13)Her husband, Liu Zhen, also entered the industry after losing his job in construction. Together they earn 13,000 yuan a month, but suffer from physical exhaustion and health problems due to the long hours in the driver’s seat. (para. 14)(para. 15).
Luo Yi from Shanghai switched from the financial industry to ride-hailing after his wife lost her job. Although he doesn’t work overtime, he earns between 400 and 500 yuan per 10-hour shift thanks to his strategic approach. He uses his free time to further his education and explore new media, with the goal of eventually expanding into the luxury ride-hailing segment. (para. 16)(para. 18)(para. 19).
Others like Xiao Xu adapted by starting their own ride-sharing fleets, turning financial misfortune into business success. Gao Changyuan used platforms like Douyin to share her experiences and gained over 20,000 followers, providing another source of income. (para. 20). Likewise, Luo Yi manages his Xiaohongshu account and learns photography and English, considering his current job as a temporary phase (para. 21).
The narrative reflects the challenges and adaptations of individuals in an increasingly competitive and regulated ride-sharing industry, and shows resilience and entrepreneurial spirit despite all the difficulties. (Multi-paragraph summary).
AI generated, for reference purposes only
