Uber for trucks? China’s truck-hailing app stirs debate

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Huolala, China’s Uber-like truck services for on-demand cargo transportation and delivery, stirs debate and concerns online over transporting commuters who had a difficult time getting around during rush hours as torrential rainfall flooded some streets of Beijing lately.

Many passengers, unable to book rides via Uber-like platforms such as Didi Chuxing because of a shortage of taxi cabs due to extreme weather conditions, have instead opted to use the truck-hailing app Huolala.

On social media, many posted screenshots and comments about the long queues when requesting rides via their mobile phone.

“Dark humor from Didi: currently 226 people in queue, the car is estimated to reach the destination sometime tomorrow,” wrote Weibo user @Jasminejingyi.

A Weibo user responded to the shortage of taxi cabs. /Screenshot via Sina Weibo

The shortage had passengers like Li, opt for alternative travel options- in this case- a cargo van.

Li said that he was the 177th in line on his ride-sharing app which meant he would be waiting at least two hours before getting a ride home, according to Beijing Youth Daily. When he tried to order a ride from the truck-hailing app Huolala, he was instantly paired with a nine-seat cargo van.

“I explained to the driver I didn’t have any cargo. He didn’t say much back and just took me home,” Li told Beijing Youth Daily.

A few passengers took a witty approach by opting to order large vehicles instead of small cars to get around.

When asked where their cargo was, one commuter told their driver that they were the cargo that needed to be delivered.

Some people shared their witty responses on social media. /Screenshot via Wechat

Nonetheless, this growing trend to opt for trucks drew concerns and criticism from the traffic department, because not all truck drivers are qualified to operate passenger vehicles. China's traffic law requires a specific license to operate different types of vehicles.

And Huolala, the on-demand cargo moving app, might face restrictions and regulation under certain road rules, according to Beijing Youth Daily.

Moreover, passengers might fall victim to legal loopholes if they were to encounter a traffic accident because their drivers might not have the right license to drive them in the first place.

Huolala, a company that offers moving and delivery of cargo goods on demand with its trucks. /Image via Huolala website

After facing pressure from online debates questioning whether it was right for some drivers to operate their trucks as passenger vehicles, Huolala announced on Weibo that it wouldn’t allow its drives to do so, as state law imposes different requirements for transporting passengers than it does cargo.

Even so, some Huolala truck drivers claim that they only picked up passengers who were looking for short rides or car-pools, which are no longer than five kilometers and take around ten minute to complete, Beijing Youth Daily reports.