Recent discussions on social media have highlighted a concerning trend for ride-hailing drivers in China, with many reporting a significant decline in passengers. As of November 4, 2026, a noticeable number of drivers have expressed their frustrations about extended waiting times for orders and a decrease in overall bookings, which has directly impacted their income.
Many drivers have shared their experiences, indicating that they have waited for one to two hours in popular commercial areas without receiving a single order. Others have activated promotional modes on their platforms, only to find that the orders they do receive often pay lower rates that barely cover their operational costs.
The struggles faced by these drivers are reflective of deeper issues within the ride-hailing market. Factors such as an increase in the number of drivers, fierce price competition among platforms, and shrinking earnings are pressing challenges that need to be addressed. According to data from the Ministry of Transport, the number of ride-hailing driver permits issued nationwide increased by approximately 159% from the end of 2020 to the end of October 2024. In a sampling survey conducted within the industry, it was found that driver earnings per hour declined by around 12.9% compared to the previous year in 2024.
This substantial increase in drivers has not been met with a corresponding rise in demand. Statistical reports indicate that while the number of drivers has nearly tripled over a three-year period, the volume of ride requests has only risen by about 60%. This disproportionate growth has led to fierce competition among drivers for the relatively limited number of orders available in the market.
Interestingly, many drivers have reported a steep drop in orders following the recent National Day holiday, particularly at previously busy pick-up spots. Some have shared screenshots of their earnings that paint a stark picture; for instance, one driver claimed to have been online for ten hours, earning a mere 123 yuan (approximately $18). Others spend even longer periods online yet struggle to secure a few fare requests. In some regions, drivers have lamented the extremely low fixed-rate orders, such as a 20-kilometer ride priced at only 16 yuan, while in Guangzhou, a 26-kilometer fare was listed at just 27.04 yuan, leading to a competitive scramble among drivers to grab any business available.
Comments from social media users encapsulate the sentiments of many in the industry. A user known as “白鴿-FLY” noted that there are now numerous idle ride-hailing vehicles on the streets, and drivers frequently wait for hours without receiving any rides. They expressed the sentiment that the increasing number of drivers has distorted the market dynamics, rendering it harder to make a living from driving.
Other users, like “機械科技,” shared insights based on conversations they had with various drivers. Some drivers have invested in new cars but find it difficult to generate sufficient business. There are those who have transitioned to ride-hailing full-time and have noticed a marked increase in competition from newly licensed drivers.
As the economic downturn continues to impact the employment landscape, many individuals who previously enjoyed stable incomes have turned to ride-hailing as an alternative, creating a further influx into the already saturated market. However, the reality is that there are fewer passengers and less fare revenue available, with overall market demand shrinking even as the pool of drivers expands.
Reports have recently disclosed shocking fare prices that have dropped to astonishing lows. For instance, rides from Chengdu’s Shuangliu Airport to the city center have fallen to just 17 yuan. Similarly, rides to Beijing Capital Airport from areas within the eastern Fifth Ring Road are now available for as little as 22 yuan.
Discussions among drivers reveal a common grievance: there has been a significant reduction in long-distance orders, with many now only able to secure short, low-paying rides.
The Ministry of Transport’s statistics reveal that as of December 2020, there were approximately 2.89 million issued ride-hailing driver permits. By October 2024, this figure surged to 7.48 million, indicating a dramatic increase of over 459,000 permits within less than four years. It effectively means that the number of issued driver permits has increased by a staggering 2.59 times.
The “2024 National Ride-Hailing Market Annual Report” from the National Urban Public Transport Association certifies that the supply of ride-hailing services, particularly in major cities, is reaching a saturation point. The report indicates a general trend of decreasing customer per-ride spending and declining driver earnings.
Despite the surge in driver numbers, it does not automatically imply a proportional increase in ride requests. When the market’s demand growth cannot keep pace with the burgeoning supply of drivers, competition for the limited rides becomes increasingly intense.
According to estimations from the annual report, ride-hailing drivers are projected to earn approximately 27 yuan per hour in 2024, which is a decline from approximately 31 yuan in 2023, marking a decrease of about 12.9%. It’s important to note that this figure represents income after platform fees and other expenses.
Some cities have published monitoring data that further reflects the pressures faced by drivers in terms of order take-up and operational strain. For example, in Hefei City, data shows that from January to November 2024, the average daily order volume per vehicle was just 11.5, with an empty vehicle rate hitting 45%. Nearly 80% of drivers reported a daily income of less than 300 yuan.
A driver from Hefei remarked on the shift they have experienced, noting that what was once a quick succession from one passenger to the next has turned into extensive waits along the roadside. This driver shared that their monthly earnings used to exceed 10,000 yuan in 2021. However, due to diminishing business opportunities, they sold their car in 2024 and exited the ride-hailing industry.
The tumultuous state of the industry has also been influenced by competitive pricing strategies among different platforms. To attract passengers, many ride-hailing services have implemented fixed fares and promotional rates. While such rates may appeal to customers, they can severely limit earnings for drivers, particularly when additional costs such as waiting times and traffic congestion arise without proportionate fare adjustments.
Finally, media reports demonstrate how the division of profits among aggregation platforms, service providers, and actual transportation platforms has further diluted driver income. In one instance, for a ride that cost a passenger 21.7 yuan, the driver only took home 16.78 yuan after a 22.6% commission was deducted by the service provider, coupled with an additional information fee of 0.5 yuan—a total that amounts to approximately 25% of what the passenger paid.
Overall, the question of whether the ride-hailing market is experiencing an oversaturation of drivers has captured attention across various cities. Since 2023, cities such as Jinan, Zhuhai, Dongguan, and Shenzhen have issued risk warnings regarding the local ride-hailing markets, indicating that operational capacity has reached saturation and advising newcomers to approach the industry with caution. Similar measures have been observed in Sanya and Changsha, where authorities have paused the processing of new operating licenses for ride-hailing services.