Wang Yongdong, a resident of Zitong County in Southwest China’s Sichuan province, is a captain for two local ride-hailing driver teams. He began working as a car-hailing driver in 2016, when the service was relatively new in his town. At that time, there were not many drivers, and the number of orders was low, with only about 10 per day. However, Wang saw the potential in the ride-hailing industry and decided to take advantage of this opportunity. He registered as a driver and began his journey in the ride-hailing business.
Over the years, Wang has seen a significant increase in demand for ride-hailing services in his town. Currently, the two teams he captains, consisting of more than 100 drivers, are fulfilling around 2,000 orders per day. The rise in the popularity of ride-hailing services has led to an increase in employment opportunities for residents in Zitong County. The growth of the ride-hailing industry has provided an alternative means of income for many individuals in the area, where options are otherwise limited.
Wang acknowledges the benefits of working in the ride-hailing industry. He states that driving for ride-hailing services provides a flexible schedule and a decent income, making it an attractive choice for many people. With the flexibility in scheduling, individuals can choose their working hours, which allows them to balance their work and personal life. Additionally, the ride-hailing industry offers competitive pay, which is another reason why many people in Zitong County are attracted to the industry.
The popularity of ride-hailing services has not been limited to county towns alone. The lucrative nature of the business has even attracted residents from nearby villages and towns, providing them with new job opportunities that were not previously available in their communities. This phenomenon has been particularly significant in China, where the ride-hailing industry has been growing rapidly, creating new avenues for employment in the process.
Cui Wenbin is one of many drivers who have benefited from the rise of ride-hailing services in his hometown. Cui, a resident of Jinzhou district in Dalian, Liaoning province, starts his daily routine at 6 am, receiving orders on his mobile phone on the way to the Jinpu New Area, a trip of more than 30 kilometers. Before he became a ride-hailing driver, Cui worked in a factory where the income was low, and the work schedule was rigid. However, since he registered as a driver in 2015, his income has increased, and he has more time for himself.
Cui’s success as a ride-hailing driver is not unique. The ride-hailing industry has become popular in many county towns across China, providing employment opportunities to locals who might not have had access to such jobs before. The industry’s flexibility and decent income make it an attractive option for many people who previously had limited job prospects. Furthermore, as the ride-hailing business grows, so does the demand for drivers, providing new job opportunities in areas where they were previously scarce.
The rise of ride-hailing services has not only created new job opportunities but has also given drivers the freedom to balance their work and personal life. Cui states that he can now accompany his wife to the hospital and help his parents with errands in the morning without affecting his work. This newfound flexibility has allowed him to take care of his family while also earning a decent living.
The rise of ride-hailing services in China has created new job opportunities for locals, particularly those in county towns and nearby villages. The industry’s flexibility and decent income have made it an attractive option for many people who previously had limited job prospects. This has allowed people like Cui Wenbin to improve their financial situation while also balancing their work and personal life. With the continuous growth of the ride-hailing industry, more people are likely to benefit from the new job opportunities it provides.
Cui Wenbin is not the only one to have benefited from the rise of ride-hailing services in his hometown. He has noticed more people in Jinzhou becoming car-hailing drivers, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, who may have struggled to find other employment opportunities outside the town. The ride-hailing industry has provided a flexible and lucrative option for these individuals, helping to alleviate the lack of job opportunities in the region.
County towns are currently a focus of China’s urbanization and rural revitalization efforts. In 2020, the central authorities released a document outlining the need to “improve the quality of county town development and better satisfy the needs of farmers to find jobs and take roots in county towns.” The growth of ride-hailing services has brought new opportunities to these county towns, enabling their residents to pursue viable career paths within their own communities.
The expansion of ride-hailing services in small towns is expected to create more opportunities for drivers, similar to Wang Yongdong and Cui Wenbin, who provide a critical service to their communities while also contributing to the growth of the industry as a whole. As the ride-hailing industry continues to evolve and expand, it will create more employment opportunities for those living in rural areas, thus furthering the objectives of China’s rural revitalization initiative.
In addition to providing employment opportunities, ride-hailing services have also helped to bridge the gap in transportation access between urban and rural areas in China. They have made it easier for people to travel within and between small towns, improving access to services such as healthcare, education, and shopping. This, in turn, has improved the overall quality of life for people living in these areas, making them more attractive places to live and work.
In conclusion, the growth of the ride-hailing industry has created new opportunities for residents of Zitong Count,this is in line with the objectives of China’s rural revitalization initiative, which seeks to improve the quality of life for people living in these regions. As the industry continues to expand, it will provide more job opportunities for people like Cui Wenbin and Wang Yongdong, enabling them to provide critical services to their communities while also improving their own financial situations. The industry will also help bridge the transportation gap between urban and rural areas, improving access to services and contributing to the overall well-being of rural communities.
As a captain for two local ride-hailing driver teams, Wang has witnessed the growth and development of the industry in his town. The industry’s flexibility and decent income have made it an attractive choice for many people looking for employment in the area. With the continuous expansion of the ride-hailing industry, more people are likely to benefit from the new job opportunities it provides.