2018-09-01

Didi blames "ignorance and pride" for carpool murder

① Chinese ride-sharing giant Didi Chuxing has issued a public apology, blaming "ignorance and pride" for safety lapses that led to the rape and murder of a female passenger.

② Executives said they would stop using growth to measure the firm's success and prioritise safety instead.

③ The move follows Didi's decision to suspend its carpool service, Hitch, amid outrage over the incident.

④ Since the incident, China's transport ministry has pressed Didi for changes, such as better driver vetting and education.

⑤ On Tuesday, Didi said it would create a system for passengers to call police and improve safety features, such as a function that allows riders to share itineraries.

⑥ Founded in 2012, Didi had grown to handle about 25 million rides a day by the start of 2018, when it claimed more than 450 million users and about 21 million drivers.

⑦ The firm, which is backed by major investors such as Softbank, has also been pushing to enter new markets, including Mexico and Japan.