VOA常速英语2019--Uber进军西非市场受阻

Uber’s Expansion in West Africa Faces Hurdles¹

Dakar, like most African capitals is full of taxis.

跟大多数非洲国家的首都一样，达喀尔也到处都是出租车。 

In most parts of the city, day or night, it’s relatively² easy to catch a cab.

在城市的大部分地区，无论白天还是晚上，打出租车都相对容易。 

But ride-hailing application Uber still sees a potential market in Senegal and some residents agree.

但在塞内加尔，打车软件Uber仍然看到了市场潜力，一些居民也同意这一点。 

“It might work here but it will require lots, lots of investment, because we don’t have the same organization as in US like when you…when you were coming to my house, I will not be able to tell you exactly where my house is located on the map, so you will have to…you know…I will have to tell you a building or somewhere…a school…somewhere I can pick you from.

“可能它会发展地很好，但需要大量资金，因为达喀尔的城市结构跟美国不同，比如说，司机到我家来接我，但我无法告诉你我家在地图上的确切位置，所以这种情况下，你必须告诉司机周围有一个什么建筑，例如学校，这样司机才能接到你。

A lack of addresses means directions in Senegal’s capital are based on landmarks³.

缺少地址信息意味着在塞内加尔的首都，司机只能靠标志性建筑来判断方向。 

A bigger challenge: few drivers have the smartphones needed for the ride-healing apps, and most have never heard of Uber or know how it works.

一个更大的挑战是：很少有司机拥有打车软件必备的智能手机，而且大部分司机都没有听说过Uber，更不知道它是如何运作的。

If they hire drivers experienced here, they could be successful, like if they hire us, that’s a possibility, but it depends on what they will offer.

“如果他们雇用有经验的司机，那他们可能会成功，例如雇用我们，这是有可能的，但也取决于我们的回报是什么。”

Nonetheless, some riders think Uber could still work in Dakar.

尽管如此，一些司机仍然相信Uber可以在达喀尔“吃得开”。 

There are already other companies here doing similar things, “I think if this company came in, it would create competition and add something new to the landscape of transportation in Dakar.

“已经有一些公司在做类似的事情了，而这家公司的加入可以刺激竞争，给达喀尔的交通状况带来一些新的改观。

I think it could work really well.”

我认为Uber完全没问题。” 

Despite the challenges, the Silicon⁴ Valley company seems optimistic about new markets in Senegal and West Africa.

尽管困难重重，位于硅谷的Uber公司似乎依然对塞内加尔和西非市场持乐观态度。 

An Uber spokesperson tells VOA,they believe a collaborative approach in new cities benefits both the company and the city.

Uber发言人告诉美国之音称，他们认为在新城市中开展合作既可以为公司带来利益，也可以给城市带来福祉。

1 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

2 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

3 landmarks   

n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址）

参考例句：

• The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句

4 silicon   

n.硅(旧名矽)

参考例句：

• This company pioneered the use of silicon chip.这家公司开创了使用硅片的方法。
• A chip is a piece of silicon about the size of a postage stamp.芯片就是一枚邮票大小的硅片。