Uber Records 1,000 Percent Increase in Overseas Trips During CNY

Uber China’s 2016 Chinese New Year Cross-Border Travel Report gives some great insight into how Chinese users utilized the app around the world during the Chinese New Year travel period.

The survey shows how Chinese customers really took advantage of the global network, taking Uber rides across 319 cities in 65 countries worldwide, an increase of 882 percent increase in the number of Chinese users accessing the service abroad, as well as a 973 percent increase in number of trips taken.

At the top of the list of countries in terms of popularity of trips were, perhaps unsurprisingly, the United States and the United Kingdom. Hong Kong ranked top for the city with the most rides.

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There were also users from 330 cities across 65 countries who called cabs in China during the holiday period. Uber writes that users who don’t speak Chinese also found it just as easy to track down a car in China, which we don’t necessarily agree with given that most drivers will call to ask where you want picking up, in Chinese. International users’ top 10 destinations were Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Tianjin, Changsha, Wuhan, and Suzhou.

Uber China’s head of strategy, Zhen Liu, was quoted as saying: 

"Our truly integrated global platform means every Uber user can get a ride anywhere, anytime at the push of the button, using one single app.

Our user base in China is growing rapidly as we continue to capture market share, and that’s reflected in the 1,000 percent increase in trips by Uber China users in other markets during the Chinese New Year period.

Our users across 40-plus cities in China know that the Uber experience is simple, convenient, and hassle-free, and they appreciate that they can enjoy that same experience in other cities where they may not speak the language or be familiar with the local transportation network.

We have over a thousand engineers working day and night to ensure a seamless and smooth ride, so that every user can enjoy the beauty of a simple and reliable service that works anytime, anywhere."

Well, all we can say is that we hope Uber stays cheap, considering recent news that the its China service is losing USD 1 billion each year. Ouch.

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Photos: Uber