With Spring Festival around the corner, complaints about Didi Chuxing’s higher prices have been multiplying. Commuters also complain that hailing a ride has gotten more difficult as drivers are heading home.

Many believe that a general shortage of drivers, coupled with the government's new regulation requiring drivers to be locally-registered citizens, explain Didi's price hikes and the scarcity of available cars. However, analysts counter that the main reason is pricing.

Last August, Uber withdrew from the market by selling its operations to Didi Chuxing. Didi, finding itself with a near monopoly, then began raising fares, cutting back on discounts and reducing the subsidies used to motivate drivers.