CHINA TOPIX

03/28/2024 04:47:15 am

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Didi Kuaidi Teams Up with Lyft to Hail Ride for Chinese Travelers in the US

Didi Kuaidi Reported that It is profitable at half of its locations

(Photo : Getty Image) Didi Kuaidi is looking for collaborations abroad

Chinese travelers who use the ride-hailing app Didi Kuaidi in China can still use the mobile app to book a ride through its new partner Lyft when visiting the United States.

The recently offered cross-service platform will allow Didi Kuaidi users to easily grab a ride across 200 US cities where Lyft is available beginning Wednesday.

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The team up aims to increase service utilization of both companies, where they could channel their clients to one another.

The app, which customers have grown accustomed to, will remain as is. Language used will still be in Chinese, fare prices and estimates in Chinese RMB and payment options via Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Aside from that, Didi will also provide a 24/7 customer service support and a live translation service with just a tap of a button. When users opt to avail of the interpretation service, users will be directed to a three-way call from an interpreter in China who can help travelers converse with the US drivers.

"We hope to really provide them with as seamless an experience they have back home," Kristina Gibson, head of Lyft's international products and payments, said.

Under the new partnership, Lyft drivers will still gain the same rates and commissions, while Didi Kuaidi clients get to pay in their local currency. Lyft will directly pay the drivers, the company confirmed.

Meanwhile, foreigners visiting China can also avail of Didi's services through Lyft during the second quarter of the year, the Beijing-based startup announced.

Didi Kuaidi will begin advertising their new service, while Lyft plans to distribute information and training materials to its drivers this week.

Both companies, however, refused to give specific details about the financial arrangement. But Tech Crunch revealed that one reporter in the room heard Didi saying it will allow Lyft take 100 percent of the revenue. Lyft, on the other hand, did not confirm or deny the rumor. They also declined to share feasibility statistics.

Didi Kuaidi has been investing on other ride-hailing service providers overseas since 2015, including the United States' Lyft, Southeast Asia's Grab and India's Ola, as it continues to compete with rival Uber internationally. Instead of tapping local providers, Uber's strategy is more on aggressive overseas expansion.

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