Summary of Key Points
Difficulties in hailing taxis and receiving deliveries during rainy or snowy weather are common issues: On the demand side, people who usually drive or ride bicycles switch to online car-hailing services and food delivery, leading to a surge in orders. On the supply side, drivers and riders are reluctant to take on more orders due to safety concerns and reduced efficiency, resulting in localized shortages of transportation capacity. Users are forced to resort to unconventional solutions such as paying extra for rides or riding bicycles in the rain. Platforms are trying to alleviate these issues through subsidies and extended delivery times, but more detailed measures are needed.
Detailed Analysis
Why is it so difficult to hail taxis and receive deliveries in rainy or snowy weather? — A stark contrast between demand and supply
In simple terms, the number of people seeking services suddenly increases, while the number of providers willing to offer them decreases:
- Demand surges: People who normally drive or use electric bikes avoid the hassle and safety risks of rain and opt for taxis or food delivery. For example, on June 24 in Shanghai, order volumes increased by 40%; during heavy rain in Beijing, some users waited for 50 minutes without finding a taxi on any platform. The rush hour after work and school also significantly boosts order numbers.
- Supply decreases: Drivers and riders are unwilling to make additional trips. For instance, online car-hailing driver Master Zhao stops working early in heavy rain because the rearview mirror doesn't defrost, making it difficult to see the road safely, and traffic congestion reduces efficiency. Even light rain can reduce earnings. Rider Jiang Hailong notes that delivery times double from 20 to 30 minutes due to slippery roads and reduced visibility.
- Localized congestion: Passengers concentrate in residential areas, shopping malls, and subway stations, leaving drivers unable to find customers in remote areas, exacerbating the imbalance in transportation capacity.
Why don't drivers and riders want to take on more orders in rainy weather? — A dilemma between safety and income
It's not that they are lazy; it's simply unprofitable or too dangerous:
- Drivers' concerns:
- Safety: Vehicles without defrosting systems have poor visibility in rain, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Low earnings: Traffic congestion during rain means longer delivery times, which may offset higher order volumes but result in lower overall income. For example, Master Zhao can drive at 80 km/h on clear days but much slower in rain.
- Riders' challenges:
- Double the difficulty of delivery: Water accumulation and slippery roads make braking more difficult; riders wearing glasses have reduced visibility, and there's a higher risk of collisions with pedestrians and cars.
- Slow food delivery from merchants: More orders in rain mean longer waiting times for riders.
- Increased costs: Raincoats and maintenance of electric bikes (e.g., worn-out tires) are additional expenses.
Unconventional solutions adopted by users
Facing the inability to hail taxis or receive deliveries, users have resorted to various extreme measures:
- Common tactics: Raising prices (from 26 yuan to 45 yuan), taking hitchhikes, or riding bicycles in the rain (e.g., a user in Shanghai rode a bicycle for 7 minutes to get to work).
- Creative solutions: Using services like "Dahao Lala" (a platform that allows users to carry their own bags as "cargo" and be picked up by a driver). One user waited an hour for a taxi but finally made it home this way.
- Extreme situations: Some users take time off work due to inability to hail a taxi, or deliveries are delayed by over an hour, resulting in cold food and wet packaging.
What measures are platforms taking to encourage drivers and riders?
Platforms are using both financial incentives and policy adjustments:
- Financial subsidies:
- Online car-hailing: Premium subsidies during rainy weather. For example, drivers in Hangzhou earn more during the rainy season (July–September) due to increased orders and subsidies.
- Food delivery: Subsidies based on weather conditions; for severe rain (Level 3), each order earns an additional 2–3 yuan, and even more for extremely bad weather (Level 4). For example, riders in Jiang Hailong's area get an extra 1.3–1.5 yuan per order, along with bonus rewards.
- Policy support:
- Waiving late-delivery penalties for severe weather.
- Providing offline support: Food delivery platforms provide raincoats and hot water for riders and coordinate with merchants to speed up deliveries.
How can the situation be improved in the future? — Experts suggest more considerate measures
To solve this problem, we need to address the specific challenges faced by drivers and riders:
- Increase driver motivation: Provide more targeted subsidies (e.g., for driving through flooded areas or making extra trips between regions) and improve insurance claims processes.
- Enhance user experience:
- Display real-time information on the number of available drivers, waiting times, and price increases.
- Set up standardized pick-up points to reduce traffic congestion.
- Improve rider safety and comfort: Provide free rain gear (e.g., waterproof phone cases) and anti-slip tires, or offer special insurance for harsh weather.
In summary, the issue of poor service during rainy and snowy weather stems from a mismatch between surging demand and insufficient supply. To resolve it, platforms need to not only offer financial incentives but also address safety, efficiency, and rider rights to encourage them to work in such conditions. Users should also show more understanding, as delivering food and taxis in the rain is indeed challenging.