[Video/Jing'an district government]

From the front seat of a ride-hailing car, one can observe more than just the city's bustling traffic. In Shanghai, every journey quietly unfolds a story of professionalism, trust, and the rule of law in action.

Recently, lifestyle blogger Kang Yeonji chose an unconventional lens — a "shotgun" perspective — to explore the workings of one of the city’s most essential mobility services. Her aim was not only to observe, but to understand how a seamless ride reflects a broader commitment to lawful governance.

What emerged was a system grounded in solid legal foundations. Each ride begins with what industry insiders call the “three permits” — certifications for the platform, the driver, and the vehicle. More than paperwork, these documents serve as the foundation of passenger safety and service accountability.

On the road, safety extends beyond habit to legal awareness. A reminder to fasten seatbelts, a prompt to check traffic before opening doors — each gesture is rooted in traffic laws, transformed into acts of care that protect lives at every turn.

Transparency, too, takes a passenger-centered form. When routes must change due to congestion, drivers take a moment to explain and seek consent, a practice aligned with consumer protection principles that gives passengers informed choice and control. 

The legal framework also empowers those behind the wheel. Kang Yeonji spoke with a driver who used digital trip records to challenge an erroneous platform penalty, illustrating how the law not only regulates but also protects, equipping individuals with tools to defend their rights.

"From mandatory licensing to daily safety practices, and from passenger rights to driver protections, Shanghai’s ride-hailing ecosystem shows how the law weaves reliability into the fabric of everyday life," Kang Yeonji remarked after her journey.

Her unique vantage point reveals that what drives Shanghai’s mobility forward is not only advanced technology, but a deeply embedded culture of legality — one that rides along, quietly and reliably, with every passenger on every trip.

Source: Jing'an district government