Han Ximin, Li Yu

1824295095@qq.com

ON Tuesday, the first day of the National College Entrance Examination, also known as gaokao, driver Li Zhuagang from Shenzhen Anda Transportation Service Co. Ltd., got up at 5:30 a.m. for his task of the day, carrying gaokao takers to the exam venues.

He drove from his home in Dawang Village in Luohu District to the home of a gaokao taker surnamed Li, who is 30 kilometers away in Pingdi Subdistrict in Longgang District.

The student made a reservation for the free cab service through the hotline 95128. On the eve of the first gaokao day, driver Li, who has been in the voluntary service for six years, took the route from student Li’s home to the exam venue.

Driver Li arrived at student Li’s home 30 minutes early and called him not to rush, while waiting outside. Then, he drove 10 kilometers to the exam venue.

Duan Fengli, head of Shenzhen cab women’s voluntary service team, has been engaged in the voluntary service for 19 years since she started her career as a cab driver. She founded the service team in 2005. The 2016 gaokao was an important event for her family because her child took part in the exam.

Surprisingly, she didn’t send or pick up her child like other parents did, rather she continued her free service for other examinees who needed it. The 54-year-old Duan often drives night shifts. During her free time during the day, she often participates in charitable activities.

“As long as I can drive, I will do my part offering free rides, and I hope more people will participate in it and carry it on,” Duan said.

For this year’s gaokao, Shenzhen Taxi Industry Association organized free ride services with participation of 5,000 drivers from 43 cab companies. By 2 p.m. yesterday, the cabs had offered 1,090 free rides including 503 rides through reservations, 266 rides at exam venues and 321 free rides on patrols.