(ECNS) -- Chinese ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing confirmed that it has made price adjustments "for a reasonable sharing of costs," while its carpool business service Didi Shunfengche saw price hikes of as much as 20 percent, Economic Information Daily reported.
Analysts say the price hike is a result of the proposed merger deal between Didi Chuxing and the China unit of U.S.-headquartered Uber Technologies, with monopoly effects from the deal already surfacing, even though the deal is awaiting approval from regulators.
Launched in June 2015, Didi Shunfengche is different from Didi's taxi-hailing services, in that it matches registered drivers with carpooling passengers.
A netizen nicknamed "Naughty Garfield" said the carpool business stresses the sharing of benefits and costs, so it is unreasonable to charge passengers a fare close to that of an exclusive ride.
A netizen nicknamed "youranyanxiao" commented on Didi's development road map, saying that it "first gives out money, then monopolizes the market, and finally reaps the benefits."
Another netizen with the nickname "where_" said: "Didi used to be my No. 1 choice, but now I only opt for Didi when there is no taxi available. After all, it isn't that much cheaper, and many (of its drivers) aren't familiar with the roads."
Nevertheless, some other netizens think the price hike is reasonable. "Pricing is the result of market competition; it is impossible for Didi and the like to keep investing in giving subsidies."
Experts and netizens have called on regulators to increase transparency of anti-monopoly law enforcement, in order to safeguard consumer rights and public interests.
