China's leading online travel site, Ctrip, has officially launched a car sharing business. It will compete with DiDi and Meituan in the nation's booming car-hailing market.

The competition among car-hailing service providers has intensified. CTrip has been granted the right to provide car-hailing services nationwide.

SHAO HUI CTRIP SENIOR MANAGER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS "It will give us more room to expand and grow."

But the supply of drivers is still far from meeting the demands. According to figures released by the Ministry of Transportation, car-hailing service users reached two hundred million in 2017. Currently, only a hundred thousand drivers are licensed to provide car-hailing services.

CTrip has been eyeing the market since 2014, when it began providing a car-hailing service, mainly to enhance its travel services. CTrip had been targeting users who buy air tickets on its website, but also need pick-ups or drop-offs at the airport.

SHAO HUI CTRIP SENIOR MANAGER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS "For example, when a customer books both the flight and pickup service through us, if the flight is delayed, our drivers can react and prepare for the delay."

Ctrip is expanding beyond these services, but for now will not be working with taxis.

With DiDi, Meituan and CTrip being in the car-hailing market, consumers are hyped about their the car-hailing options.

Passerby "As there are more and more, it will get cheaper, saving us money and benefiting us."

While the market is in need of drivers, loopholes are being exploited. Some drivers of DiDi and Meituan were found to not be complying with the rules. Transportation departments require all cars providing services to obtain local license plates. Some cities also require drivers to be local residents with proof of identities. Experts say the increased competition will help to regulate and enhance car-hailing services in the market.