Ride-hailing driver receives praise as 'Good Samaritan'

An online ride-hailing driver has garnered a lot of attention on social media for offering free rides to people in need, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

The driver put on a notice in his car, saying “If you come to Shenzhen to find a job, please tell the driver to refund part or all of the fare if you need it,” adding that the free ride period is from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every day, and the free mileage is within 15 kilometers.

Ai Xianghua, the driver, told the newspaper that he provided nearly 3,000 free rides for people in need, with an average cost of 25 yuan (US$3.63) per ride.

Ai Xianghua waves to the reporter from his car. Luo Junxian

Ai said he was offered help when he first came to Shenzhen, and this is the reason why he wants to help others in need.

In 2003, Ai came to Shenzhen alone for the first time as a teenager. The coach driver dropped him off at an unfamiliar place after a 700-kilometer ride. He followed others onto another bus in panic. A fellow bus passenger noticed the young man carrying a heavy load and offered Ai his own seat.

“At that time, I was moved by the passenger’s warm-heartedness, and it was my first impression of the city,” Ai said.

In 2007, he came to Shenzhen again after graduating from university and found a job. In 2016, he began to work as a ride-hailing driver.

He offered help to many young people who came to the city for the first time, providing information about affordable rental apartments and job opportunities.

“I got help the first time I came to the city, and I just want to pay it forward to others in need,” the driver said.

When Ai talked about the people he has helped, he said he was deeply impressed by a young man in his early 20s.

The man told Ai his story after reading Ai’s notice in the car. He said he just broke up with his girlfriend and wanted to commit suicide. “I shared my own breakup story with the young man, telling him how I recovered from the sad experience by offering help to those in need,” Ai said.

“The guy gradually cheered up and told me he would try to do better before getting off my car,” Ai added.

The Good Samaritan driver told the newspaper that many of his customers declined his free ride offer, with some even offering to donate money to use on other needy people.

Some people left messages of appreciation, with one that reads “Thank you for your good deeds. I will do the same when I have the chance.”

Another message says: “I will always remember the 11.7-yuan fare refund and pass on this warm gesture to others in need.”