Car-pooling firms Hellobike, Dida Chuxing to update service after government warning for allowing drivers to profit

  • Hellobike and Dida Chuxing have made changes to their car-pooling platforms after the Ministry of Transport accused them of offering ride-hailing services
  • The government distinguishes between ride-hailing and car-pooling, which limits what drivers can charge to transport costs like fuel

Minghe Huin Beijing
Shanghai-based Hellobike has offered a car-pooling service since 2019, but car-pooling services are legally distinct in China from ride-hailing, which is defined as a commercial activity. Photo: Handout

Chinese car-pool service providers Hellobike and Dida Chuxing said that they will modify their platforms after receiving a government warning, led by the Ministry of Transport, for suspicion of “engaging in online ride-sharing business in the name of car-pooling”.

In separate statements on Thursday, Shanghai-based Hellobike and Beijing-based Dida Chuxing said that they will “rectify” operations, ensuring that their car-pool drivers will not be able to monitor the orders of nearby riders and change their routes to accommodate them.

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