What is the difference between Express and Premium ride services?
2 Answers
Premium ride services offer better service quality compared to Express rides, and the vehicles used for Premium are more high-end and comfortable. Premium Ride: The difference from regular Express lies in the fact that vehicles providing 'Premium' services are relatively higher-tier models within the local Express fleet, ensuring a superior passenger experience in terms of hardware. Premium rides further segment the existing ride-hailing system, better balancing comfort and economic efficiency. Simply put, Premium offers better vehicle models and services than Express at a price cheaper than dedicated chauffeur services. Pricing: Premium rides are priced higher than Express. However, in practice, the total daily earnings for Premium drivers are roughly similar to Express. A key distinction is that Express receives a significantly higher volume of orders. Carpooling tends to be more exhausting. Premium rides may involve slightly longer pick-up distances, but since they don't include carpooling orders, the workload is relatively lighter.
I often take ride-hailing services for my commute and have noticed the main differences between standard rides and premium rides lie in service quality. Standard rides are like economy class—affordable but with ordinary vehicles, sometimes older models or cramped spaces. Premium rides are akin to business class, requiring cars under two years old with a wheelbase of at least 2.7 meters, typically mid-sized sedans like the Accord or Camry, offering notably spacious rear seating. Drivers also dress formally; in my few experiences, they proactively assist with opening doors and handling luggage. For short trips or solo commutes, standard rides are cost-effective, but for clients or family outings, spending an extra 20-30 yuan on premium rides makes a world of difference in comfort. The platform's commission rates are actually similar, and drivers mention passenger complaint rates are much lower for premium ride orders.