Summary of Key Points
This news report exposes the under-the-table subcontracting chain within the online car-hailing industry, particularly regarding airport drop-off and pick-up services: OTA platforms (such as those that sell airline tickets) outsource these services to local service providers. Due to insufficient transportation capacity, these providers then pass the orders on to drivers via WeChat groups, including both licensed online car-hailing drivers and private cars. Passengers pay a high fee (for example, 171 yuan) for a dedicated car service, but what actually arrives may be an ordinary vehicle, with the driver only receiving 63.8 yuan. The root of this issue lies in the declining demand in the industry, the difficulty drivers have in making a profit, and the service providers' need to subcontract to maintain their capacity. All parties have their own difficulties, but passengers end up being the biggest victims, as the system hides safety and compliance risks.
1. How Does the Under-the-Table Chain Work? – The Layer-by-Layer Transfer from Platforms to Drivers
Airport drop-off and pick-up services are supposed to be standardized, but the actual process is more like a game of passing the ball:
- Step 1: Platforms Shift the Responsibility: OTA platforms like Hanglv Zongheng promote drop-off and pick-up services while selling airline tickets. However, they don’t have enough drivers of their own, so they hand over the orders to local service providers with dispatch capabilities.
- Step 2: Service Providers Subcontract: If the service providers don’t have enough drivers, they create WeChat groups with hundreds of members and distribute the orders for them to compete for. These drivers include both licensed online car-hailing drivers and unlicensed private cars as long as they have a vehicle.
- Step 3: Drivers Disguise the Service: After receiving an order, the service providers enter the driver’s phone number and license plate into the platform system, giving passengers the impression of a legitimate order. In reality, the difference in price (e.g., 171 yuan paid by the passenger versus only 63.8 yuan received by the driver) is siphoned off by the platform, the service provider, and the group owner.
2. Why Do Drivers Take on Subcontracted Orders? – The Dilemmas Behind the “Appealing” Benefits
Drivers are willing to take on these orders because the orders from the platforms are not as profitable, but there are several drawbacks:
- Appealing Benefits:
1. High volume of orders (available 24/7, including long-distance ones, with four to five orders potentially covering a day’s usual income);
2. Stable fare (higher than the platform’s discounted fixed rates, e.g., 2 yuan per kilometer, avoiding losses over distance).
- Dilemmas:
1. Unclear commission structure (the group owner doesn’t disclose the percentage; the driver only knows the amount they receive, which is often higher than the 30% commission charged by the platform);
2. Silence Required (drivers cannot discuss prices with passengers to prevent them from realizing they’re getting a lower-quality service for a higher price);
3. Favoritism in Order Allocation (the group owner may assign orders to certain drivers to ensure they get good ones in the future);
4. Risk of Disruption (if a driver privately subcontracts an order, the vehicle’s license plate may not match the one shown to the passenger, leading to complaints).
3. Service Providers Are Not “Easy Winners” – Thin Profits and High Risks
Many people think service providers are profiteering, but they face their own challenges:
- Thin Profits: They have to pay a 10%–20% fee to the larger platforms to obtain orders. After deducting costs, they can make at most 30 cents on a 10-yuan order.
- Compulsory Subcontracting: To retain drivers, they must accept orders even if they can’t handle them all (otherwise, drivers will switch to other platforms).
- High Risks:
1. High taxes (drivers are individuals and cannot issue invoices to claim VAT deductions);
2. Heavy Fines (if the subcontracted vehicles don’t meet regulatory requirements, they can face fines of tens of thousands of yuan).
4. The Hidden Pitfalls for Passengers – Spending More Without Better Service
Passengers are the most innocent parties in this chain:
- Extra Costs: They pay more than if they simply hailed a car directly (e.g., 120 yuan for airport drop-off and pick-up compared to 100 yuan for a direct car ride).
- Discrepancy in Service: They pay for a dedicated car service but end up with an ordinary online car-hailing or even a carpool service.
- Lack of Information: They are unaware of the actual commission structure and the drivers’ qualifications, making it difficult to file complaints if something goes wrong.
5. Can the Chain Disappear? – The Root Cause Lies in Drivers’ Earnings; Returning to Platforms Is the Trend
In the short term, the subcontracting chain may continue, but drivers are gradually returning to the platforms:
- Reasons for Returning: Platforms offer more incentives (such as free commissions during holidays and rewards), making them more profitable. Additionally, platforms enforce driver rest periods to prevent fatigue driving, which is safer in the long run.
- Solution: To eliminate the chain, drivers need to earn sufficient income on the platforms. If they can make a decent living there, they won’t take on subcontracted orders. After all, no one wants to risk their safety for a small profit.
This news report highlights the competitive pressures in the online car-hailing industry, causing both drivers and service providers to struggle. The real solution is to create a system where drivers can earn a decent income legally and reliably. Passengers should avoid the subcontracting chain by booking directly through legitimate platforms for drop-off and pick-up services.