(Yicai Global) Oct. 29 -- Chinese bicycle sharer Hello Chuxing has discreetly added another feather to its cap, a car-hailing service called Hello Dache following the introduction of its car-sharing service in February last year, as it prepares to go head to head with industry giant Didi Chuxing.

The Shanghai-based firm, which is backed by fintech giant Ant Group, will charge minimal fees for the foreseeable future to make the rides more affordable to young and working-class people and to allow drivers to earn more, The Paper reported today.

Hello Dache has obtained operating licenses in many cities and has started to recruit drivers, said Jiang Tao, general manager of the company’s inclusive business department.

Safety is paramount, and the company will continue to upgrade and enforce safety measures for its car-hailing products, Jiang said. He did not reveal the name of the operator behind Hello Dache.

As of February, Hello Bikes could be found in over 400 cities in China and they had been ridden over 23.7 billion kilometers. Its hitchhiking service is available in more than 300 cities and over 400 million people have used it, according to the company website.

Editor: Kim Taylor