Life behind the wheel of a motorbike taxi

The afternoon gradually fell, the last few remaining rays of sunlight slanted down on the road in front of the Examination Department ( An Giang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Long Xuyen City). When the clock showed just past 4 p.m., I met Uncle Nghia, a man in his sixties, with a muscular body, tanned skin, and quiet but gentle eyes. The old motorbike beside him had become a part of his life, associated with many years of hard work.

Mr. Nghia (living in My Thoi ward, Long Xuyen city) has been a motorbike taxi driver for more than 32 years. From the time this profession was still popular until now, when electric taxis and technology cars cover every street, he still chooses to sit at a familiar corner to pick up passengers. "I run from 5am to 6pm every day. The passengers are mainly people going to see a doctor, I take them to An Hoa ferry... Each trip costs only 10,000 - 15,000" - he said, his voice monotonous as he told a story that has become a habit.

Driving a motorbike taxi used to help support his family. Now, at an old age, he still has to continue to work to take care of himself, because his wife sells lottery tickets, his children have their own families, and everyone is worried about their own lives. On a normal day, he earns 70,000 - 80,000 VND. On weekends, when the hospital is closed, there are few customers, sometimes only 40,000 - 50,000 VND. "Living a hard life, not having much money" - he smiled lightly. His eyes looked distant when talking about the changes in the profession: "In the past, having customers was a blessing. Now everyone takes electric taxis. It's cheap and safe. For example, if there are 3 people going to Chau Thanh, it costs about 100,000 VND. If you take a motorbike taxi alone, it costs one and a half times more. Who would take a motorbike taxi anymore?" He said that the motorbike taxi profession is now old, with only a few people "staying around" thanks to acquaintances, taking their children to school, carrying small items...

Technology car driver takes students home from school

In the hustle and bustle of life, not only men are attached to motorbike taxis, but women also get on the saddle and hold the steering wheel to make a living. Ms. Duong Thi Kim Loan (owner of a small coffee shop on Ha Hoang Ho Street, My Xuyen Ward, Long Xuyen City) is one of them. In addition to selling coffee, she also drives a motorbike taxi and accepts to transport goods on request. "I started since the COVID-19 pandemic. I had nothing to do at home, so I took my motorbike to work. At first, I was hesitant, but now I'm used to it." Every day, she starts at 4 a.m., selling goods and waiting for customers to call for a taxi. There are days when she transports large goods, going as far as Tien Giang , earning 400,000 - 500,000 VND. But there are also days when she has nothing because no one calls. "Many customers are elderly people from Oc Eo town, Ba The (Thoai Son district) who come to see a doctor, take the bus there and call me to take them." Ms. Loan does not necessarily work for money. There were people who didn't have enough money for a taxi, but she still drove them. There was an elderly person who was seriously ill, so she took him to the hospital and asked her husband to help with the paperwork, then called the patient's family. "Many people think women can't drive motorbike taxis. I think it's normal. Regular customers come and they call, and if I'm not familiar with them and feel shy, I ask someone else," she said.

While Mr. Nghia and Ms. Loan are attached to traditional motorbike taxis, Mr. Ngo Minh Thai, a technology driver of "Shipper Cong Nghe", chose this job because of its flexibility. "I drive from 9am to late at night. I wait for the App, when there is an order, I run. I can take the initiative with my time." For Thai, technology is a powerful arm: clear positioning, no need to bargain, knowing the price in advance. "Except when the App is broken or the customer is drunk, otherwise it's fine." Similarly, Cao Tieu Bao (a student studying in Long Xuyen City) works as a technology shipper to make ends meet. "Sitting at a coffee shop waiting for orders. Sometimes it's fun, like delivering water but the customer doesn't have the key to open the door, so I have to give away a glass of water." For Bao, this is just a temporary job. After graduating, he will find a more stable job. But in each current trip, he still learns about collision, patience and connection in life.

In the middle of the city, the wheels of motorbikes still roll every day. Without noise, without glory, the motorbike taxi drivers still quietly carry behind their saddles the story of their lives: There is hardship, there is bitterness, but there is also humanity and kindness that is hard to measure!

BICH GIANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chuyen-doi-sau-tay-lai-xe-om-a423180.html