Didi Enhances Driver Benefits: Stabilizing Income, Capping Commission at 27%

CNBC AI News – August 15 – Didi Chuxing, the Chinese ride-hailing giant, is rolling out a revamped driver support program aimed at stabilizing driver earnings. The initiative features multiple measures designed to improve transparency and income potential for its drivers.

Didi is implementing three key changes to its platform operations, aimed at fostering a more sustainable ecosystem:

1. Lowering the Maximum Commission Cap Per Ride

Effective by the end of the year, Didi will reduce the maximum commission cap per ride from 29% to 27%. Any amount exceeding this 27% threshold will be returned to the driver on a per-ride basis.

While only a small fraction of rides currently incur a commission above 27%, Didi intends for this adjustment to universally benefit all ride-hailing drivers operating on its platform. The move underscores Didi’s commitment to ensuring fair earning opportunities amidst fluctuating market dynamics.

Didi emphasizes that while expanding its platform’s capacity for job creation, it remains focused on stabilizing driver income through continuous commission reductions. In 2024, Didi reports that the average commission rate across all orders stands at 14%.

Drivers can access detailed and transparent breakdown of income via the Didi driver app, this includes commission rates per ride, which can fluctuate, with some rides even resulting in zero or negative commissions.

The Didi Chauffeur App’s income report allows drivers to review their earnings, including their average commission rate over the past seven days and the previous month.

2. Introducing “Commission Rebate Pro”: Lower Commission Cap for Active Drivers

Didi is launching “Commission Rebate Pro,” which guarantees a maximum average monthly commission rate of 25% for drivers completing at least 50 rides per month. Any amount exceeding this 25% cap will be automatically reimbursed to the driver’s account the following month. Initially intended for top-rated service drivers, Didi has significantly lowered eligibility requirements to make it accessible to a broader driver base. This strategic recalibration aims to ensure enhanced earning stability and greater parity across all tiers of driver performance.

This feature, along with the updated driver billing system, is currently being piloted in 21 cities, with a nationwide rollout planned for subsequent phases.

3. Reducing the Proportion of High-Commission Rides

Building upon the reduction of the maximum commission cap per ride, Didi is committed to further boosting driver revenue. Through proactive subsidy programs and strategic dispatch optimization, Didi intends to improve the commission distribution structure and address instances of excessively high commission rates before year-end. The company will continue to invest strategically in areas that enhance drivers’ earning experience on the platform.

Didi stated that it will continue to uphold responsible technological innovation, expand travel demand, give back to and increase driver income, improve the driver service system, improve communication channels for practitioners, and actively fulfill social responsibilities. Didi remains engaged with regulatory bodies and external oversight to ensure compliance and transparency.