Life of 10 drivers for web taxi-hailing services

Chen Hao and his townsman Tong Hengbo at their rented room. [Photo/news.china.com.cn]

Chen Hao and his townsman Tong Hengbo from Henan province are both drivers for Didi Private Car service. They share the rent of 1,500 yuan ($225) for a simple flat in the suburbs of Shanghai.

Chen said they were the motivation for his struggle and efforts in Shanghai. Years ago, his wife was diagnosed of uremia. The treatment has cost them their house in hometown and loans from various sources. The high cost made Chen, who was a lorry driver for a logistic company, feel feeble.

Chen has a video chat with his wife on his iPhone. [Photo/news.china.com.cn]

Chen quit his job at the logistic company in 2014 to become a fulltime Private Car driver so as to make a higher wage to cover his wife's medical bills. "I had a fixed wage at the logistic company. Being a Private Car driver makes a higher income although it takes more effort." He now rents an executive car for his Didi service. It brings him quite a higher income than that in the past.

The medicine for his wife's treatment can hardly be found in their hometown in Henan province, and is not even available in every drugstore in Shanghai. His wife's condition has stabilized but the weekly medical bill is up to 4,000 yuan ($600).

Chen checks his orders on the cellphone. [Photo/news.china.com.cn]

He said stress and difficulties in life are unavoidable, and so is his responsibility to cover his wife's medical treatment. However difficult, he will stick together with his wife, he said, adding that he only hopes to stay healthy himself.