Chinese ride-share company DiDi to take on Uber in Melbourne

CHINESE ride-sharing company DiDi is set to launch in Melbourne and take on the might of Uber.

DIDI, the rival to Uber, will launch its ride-share services in Melbourne later this month.

The Beijing-based company has been operating for the past four weeks in Geelong using the city as a testing ground.

The success of that service has meant the app-based DiDi Express will start in Melbourne on June 25 with a half-price opening offer until the end of July.

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The company started recruiting drivers in the past two weeks and a drivers’ hub has been established on an industrial estate at Tullamarine.

Drivers are being enticed with a 20 per cent flat commission as well as $200 bonus for completing 20 trips in the first week.

The new entrant in the Australian ride-share market comes four years after Uber launched in Melbourne, taking custom away from the taxi industry.

DiDi Mobility’s (Australia) state manager Abigail Holman at the company's Newcomb hub in Geelong. Picture: Mike Dugdale

DiDi Australia marketing manager Douglas Toy said the launch would give Melburnians travel choice.

“We had a successful soft launch in Geelong. It was extremely well received by the riders and drivers there,’’ Mr Toy said.

DiDi ride share will land in Victoria on June 25.

“We’ve been working really closely with them to get feedback on what they like about our product.

“The reason most Melburnians will want to try us is because we have really strong launch offer. There will be very little cost to try out our product.’’

DiDi has 550 million users and 30 million drivers.

However DiDi was unable to supply any detail on the price-per-kilometre rate for travellers or if surge pricing, often loathed by Uber passengers, would apply under the DiDi service.

“Our rates are going to be competitive,’’ Mr Toy said.

DiDi is a private company with 550 million users and 30 million drivers in 400 cities, mostly in China.

The DiDi announcement follows the launch this week by Uber of its carpooling service in Melbourne.

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@IanRoyall