Ride-hailing services in China serve a range of practical purposes across different age groups, from daily routines to unexpected transport needs. Understanding why different generations turn to these platforms helps providers tailor their services, pricing models, and communication strategies more effectively. Younger riders and older users approach ride-hailing with notably different priorities, and recognizing these distinctions gives operators a clearer path to improving retention, targeting promotions, and designing features that match real-world usage patterns across the full adult population.