China watchdog finds string of safety problems, monopoly concerns following ride-hailing inspection
Ride-hailing has become big business in the world’s most populous country but safety concerns are mounting after murders
China’s Ministry of Transport has discovered safety issues, poor management of emergency situations, the potential for illegal operations and broad monopoly concerns following an inspection of ride-hailing platforms in the country.
The on-site checks came after the second alleged rape and murder last month of a female passenger in three months by a driver on China’s largest ride-hailing site, Didi Chuxing, which provoked a public outcry and a letter of apology from the company’s senior management.
“We have found ride-hailing platforms, including Didi, have many issues and risks associated with operations management, product compliance, emergency mechanisms, information protection and public security,” said Wu Chungeng, a spokesman for the transport watchdog, at a briefing on Thursday.
The ministry launched on-site inspections at eight major ride-hailing operators, including Didi, Shouqi, UCAR, Caocao Car, Meituan Dianping and DiDa Chuxing earlier this month.
Wu said the safety risk behind hitch riding – a service that pairs private car owners with passengers heading to the same direction – is “huge”, while platforms in general have weak emergency mechanisms. “There’s also suspected monopoly issues within the industry,” he added.
