2016年CRI The 2016 Internet Tech Help Taxis Upgrade Services

 

Shouqi Limousine¹ and Chauffer, a low profile online-hailing service in China, has become the focus of much media coverage² after one transport official hailed it as a pioneer for integrating Internet technologies with traditional services.

During a highly anticipated news conference on the reform of the taxi market, Liu Xiaoming, an official with the Ministry³ of Transport, named Shouqi a good example of such integration⁴.

"We especially encourage taxi companies to put driver operations under intensive management by using Internet technologies. Thanks to the development of those new technologies, we are able to do that now. For example, Shouqi in Beijing has conducted a pilot reform program in this area."

Wei Dong, CEO of Shouqi Limousine and Chauffer, says his company uses big data to get taxi drivers to where they are needed most.

"Previously⁵, taxi drivers would hit the streets based on their own experiences. Now, using big data, we are able to figure out the demands for taxis in different areas at various times in a city. So we can guide our drivers to certain areas, so as to get more taxi calls. This will help us reduce the waste of fuel and ease the burden on traffic as a smaller number of taxis are running empty."

The CEO adds that they also use an intelligent dispatching system to benefit not only drivers but also passengers.

"The computer-controlled dispatching system will always transfer a call to the nearest taxi available. In that way, we can ensure passengers get a cab as soon as possible, while drivers don't need to pick calls by themselves."

Wei Dong says that with the help of new technologies, taxi companies are now able to solve some longstanding problems in the taxi market such as rude and careless service.

"Passengers can rate their drivers via the apps on their own mobile phones after using our service. Based on passengers' views and the results of our random⁶ inspections⁷, we will award a star assessment⁸ to every driver, which will be directly linked to their income."

Wei says drivers would be downgraded if they receive many complaints, and the wage they earn would also be cut.

Shouqi Limousine and Chauffer, founded in 2015, is an affiliate⁹ company of Shouqi Group which also runs a traditional taxi business.

Wei Dong says the launch of the new company was an attempt to counter the competition pressure brought by ride-hailing services.

1 limousine   

n.豪华轿车

参考例句：

• A chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for the grand lady.司机为这个高贵的女士打开了豪华轿车的车门。
• We arrived in fine style in a hired limousine.我们很气派地乘坐出租的豪华汽车到达那里。

2 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

5 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

6 random   

adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动

参考例句：

• The list is arranged in a random order.名单排列不分先后。
• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。

7 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

9 affiliate   

vt.使隶(附)属于；n.附属机构，分公司

参考例句：

• Our New York company has an affiliate in Los Angeles.我们的纽约公司在洛杉矶有一个下属企业。
• What is the difference between affiliate and regular membership?固定会员和附属会员之间的区别是什么？