Summary of the News in Plain Language
Many people have experienced the situation where a ride-hailing service booked in advance costs about 20% more than a last-minute request. This difference can sometimes amount to several dozen yuan. Previously, people thought it was due to the platform arbitrarily raising prices or using big data to exploit customers. However, this report reveals the real reason behind this phenomenon: it's not some hidden manipulation but a well-established pricing rule within the ride-hailing industry. On one hand, reserved rides are designed to ensure drivers have a minimum income, as there is always someone willing to pick up a late-night flight or a rush-hour high-speed train delivery. On the other hand, last-minute requests have been driven down to below cost by fierce competition in the industry, making them seem particularly cheap only because drivers work longer hours and the platform provides subsidies. The difference between the two types of rides essentially reflects the gap between paying a fixed price for a guaranteed service and accepting a loss-making low price. This pricing system isn't even unique to ride-hailing; it was already in place during the taxi era 30 years ago. It's just that the competition in the ride-hailing industry has become so intense that the price difference has become more noticeable.
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Detailed Analysis
1. Why is it the opposite of what we expect?
When we book flights, hotels, or expert appointments in advance, it's usually cheaper because businesses know they will sell the services, so they are willing to offer discounts. However, with ride-hailing, the situation is reversed. The reason is that ride-hailing services don't have “expiring inventory” like traditional services. Currently, the idle driving time for ride-hailing drivers nationwide exceeds 50%. Whether a driver can get a ride at 3 PM is uncertain, and the time you book in advance isn't just wasted time for the driver; it could have been used to pick up a higher-paying ride. As a result, drivers can't offer a discount for a reserved ride.
More importantly, the so-called “real-time” prices for last-minute requests are already significantly reduced due to various discounts and platform subsidies. It's like going to a restaurant where the next table has a 20% discount coupon, making the regular price seem expensive by comparison. Reserved rides, not participating in these discounts, appear more expensive.
2. The 20% difference in price for reserved rides
The platform's pricing for reserved rides is simple: it calculates a base fee, and the actual cost (mileage and time) is compared to this base fee. The higher of the two is charged. This is similar to a restaurant's minimum order amount—if your order doesn't reach the minimum, you pay the minimum; if it exceeds it, you pay the actual cost. This rule is there to ensure drivers earn a minimum income, especially for late-night flights or early-high-speed train deliveries, which are less profitable. The base fee is often set higher to compensate for the additional costs (such as airport or train station fees, longer driving times, and nighttime driving).
3. The cheapness of last-minute rides is paid for by drivers
The low prices for last-minute rides are actually at the driver's expense. In Shanghai, a driver might take a 12-kilometer ride for 37 yuan, but only gets 25 yuan after deducting expenses. With average monthly incomes of around 7,000 to 8,000 yuan, drivers work over 10 hours a day to make up for the reduced fares. Fares have decreased by a third in recent years, so drivers have to work longer to compensate. The more cars on the road, the fewer rides they can get, leading to further price cuts by the platform. This creates a vicious cycle.
4. The extra cost for reserved rides
The extra 20% for reserved rides is essentially a “minimum fee” that never decreases. The platform sets a base fee to guarantee drivers a minimum income. For late-night flights or early-high-speed train deliveries, the base fee is higher because the trips are less profitable. This ensures that drivers are motivated to accept these rides. The perceived higher price for reserved rides is due to this minimum fee, which includes additional costs such as fuel and platform commissions.
5. This isn't a new trick; it's an old rule gone out of control
Reserving rides and charging a premium was common even in the taxi era. For example, 30 years ago, a 4-yuan dispatch fee was charged for taxi services in Shanghai, with a starting fare of only 10 yuan, representing a 40% premium. This system ensured that drivers were more likely to accept reserved rides. The current high competition in the ride-hailing industry has pushed prices down, making the difference between reserved and last-minute rides more noticeable. Regulatory authorities are now cracking down on unfair discounts to prevent drivers from accepting loss-making rides. As prices for last-minute rides gradually return to a more normal level, the difference between reserved and last-minute rides will become more reasonable, and the extra cost for reserved rides will truly reflect the value of a guaranteed service.