The number of Chinese drivers joining the limo driving business is growing

The number of Chinese drivers joining the limo driving business is growing and now makes up as much as 60 percent of several midtown Manhattan limo companies. Ping Chen, a Chinese limo driver, said more and more Chinese immigrants prefer the low-risk and profitable limo industry. Chen, who is employed at LimoRes, has been in the limo industry for almost 20 years. His company has been training and providing other mainstream limo companies hundreds of Chinese drivers, who are drawn by the industry’s safety records and its high-end clients. Driving a limo is better than being a driver for rental cars and other mass transportation.

According to Chen, compared to the restaurant industry and factories, the limo industry is very flexible and not as physically demanding. As long as a driver can speak basic English and is familiar with the geography of New York, young and old he or she can apply for the job. To join a mainstream limo company, one must have an E driver’s license, legal residence, a social security card, own a limo, have insurance, and pay all fees. The company takes a percentage of the earnings because it provides the clients and absorbs fees associated with credits card charges.

Mr. Chou, a Chinese driver, who joined a midtown limo company, said that he used to be a rental car driver, where encountering rude customers during the night time was not uncommon. He even got robbed once. Since he joined a mainstream company, many of his clients are midtown and downtown financial professionals. Although the company takes some commission, his salary is higher than before grossing close to $100,000 a year.

According to Chen, New York City has three kinds of rental cars: yellow cabs, livery services, and black limos. Most Chinese drivers work in the latter two. Because white collar customers are pleased with Chinese drivers, many have joined the black limo sector where drivers were mostly Middle Eastern. Some companies report that Chinese drivers make up from 6o percent to 80 percent of the workers. Chinese drivers have an edge over other drivers because they work hard, provide better service, and are willing to work during the holidays and on weekends. Many immigrants from northern China have bought cars and received training from the car companies. There are even Chinese drivers who are female. After deducting insurance, gas, and the company’s commission, the driver can still take home tens of thousands of dollars a year.

By Qian Cuo, World Journal, 24 March 2011.