2016年CRI Car-pooling Offers Travel Alternative for Spring Festival Rush

 

Zhang Yu, from Shanghai, has plans to visit cities across the country during the Spring Festival holiday.

He is using a new car-pooling service to give rides to others who plan to travel during the holiday.

"It would be good if I can share my car with other people and earn some money to pay for the gas. I don't expect to make a lot of money as the apps won't let you do that. They only let you earn money to cover the cost of gas. I will be satisfied if the money covers 80 to 100 percent of the cost on gas."

The service has been launched¹ by China's biggest car-pooling app, Didi Chuxing.

It allows people to post or book their hitchhiking trips up to 30 days ahead of their departure².

The cost of a short-distance trip using the service is slightly higher than that of a high-speed railway ticket, but it is cheaper to use the service for long-distance trips.

Wang Mingze with the service provider is optimistic about the idea.

"In the past, people would buy plane tickets if train tickets were sold out, and they would buy bus tickets if plane tickets were sold out. But what if bus tickets are also sold out? We provide a new model this year. We believe more people will use our service as the Spring Festival draws near. So far, most of the orders are from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and some second-tier cities."

However, some are skeptical³ about the car-pooling service.

"Personally, a train ticket is my top choice."

"I think it is awkward⁴ to share a car with strangers. In addition, there might be safety issues."

The Ministry⁵ of Transport says it welcomes the car-pooling service during the Spring Festival travel rush as long as the internet platform provides the service without charge to either drivers or passengers.

It is estimated⁶ that about 2.9 billion trips will be made via the country's public transport system during the 40-day travel rush.

For CRI, this is Min Rui.

1 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

2 departure   

n.离开，起程；背离，违反

参考例句：

• Do you know what lies behind her sudden departure for London?你知道她突然去伦敦的原因吗？
• She took over his work after his departure.他离开以后，她接替了他的工作。

3 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

4 awkward   

adj.笨拙的，尴尬的，使用不便的，难处理的

参考例句：

• John is so shy and awkward that everyone notices him.约翰如此害羞狼狈，以至于大家都注意到了他。
• I was the only man among the guests and felt rather awkward.作为客人中的唯一男性，我有些窘迫。

5 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。

6 estimated   

adj．根据估计的

参考例句：

• She estimated the breadth of the lake to be 500 metres. 她估计湖面大约有500米宽。
• The man estimated for the repair of the car. 那人估算了修理汽车的费用。