Transfar starts charity network for truck drivers

Transfar Foundation has launched a charity network and community to provide better care and resources for China’s 30 million truck drivers, along with a mission to ensure road safety.

The foundation, which was set up by the Hangzhoubased conglomerate Transfar Group in 2017, aims to build more than 400 charity stations and cover 25,000 truck drivers by the end of this year. Over the next three years, the charity plans to donate 100 million yuan ($15.4 million) to the program.

Truck drivers are indispensable to China’s ever-developing logistics industry, a sector that is seen as integral to the country’s booming economy. China has the highest rate of truck ownership worldwide. By the end of 2016, the country had about 13.5 million trucks, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The country’s 30 million truck drivers, also known as “the nomads on the road”, are responsible for 76 percent of the freight in China. Truck drivers from rural areas account for 79.1 percent of the overall industry. About 79.3 percent are married and most of them have two children.

“Truck drivers are important for the country. They deserve more public welfare resources and social support systems,” said Tu Meng, secretary general of the Transfar Foundation.

As 98 percent of truck drivers are frequent users of smartphones, Transfar stations will assume the role of “internet + community” and offer a smartphone application where truck drivers can organize support for each other.

Since its test run in July last year, 217 station has been built and 7,252 truck drivers have found their friends and supporters through the network, which provided support on aspects like insurance, truck facilities and clothing.

“Public welfare programs should be more than just giving donations. It should also generate passion towards life and pass on the spirit of charity. I believe this is such a program,” said Feng Li, founder of the China Philanthropy Advisors, an independent observation, evaluation and advisory body in China.

“The Transfar network has become such a platform to inspire volunteering spirits and good will among truck drivers.”

According to Shen Yuan from the department of sociology at Tsinghua University, there are five main characteristics of Chinese truck drivers. They are self-employed and most are both the owners and workers of their business. Unlike factory workers, truck drivers are more atomized and constantly on the move.

Thirdly, they are at home everywhere as they work and live in their trucks. The profession is largely male-dominated and also a virtual community. Since truck drivers are constantly moving, internet plays an important role in the development of a community, Shen said while delivering the annual report on Chinese truck drivers on behalf of Transfar Charity Foundation.