Cars participating in the scheme are emblazoned with red banners. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A campaign to provide free transport for students during their "gaokao" (National Higher Education Entrance Examination) period was launched in Karamay on May 31, with thousands of drivers pledging to take part.

More than 1,000 taxi drivers from Shunan and Shunxiang Taxi Agent Service Co and some 50 private car owners have volunteered for the scheme which is set to run from June 6 to 9.

A speech is made at the ceremony announcing the student free ride scheme, now in its tenth year. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Participating taxis will carry a red banner and students will be able to provide their IDs to secure their free trips, according to Gu Yan, deputy manager of the taxi firm.

Yu Yonghui, a taxi driver who has taken part in the campaign for past 10 years said, "This year's activity was the largest of its kind in terms of amount of cars in the past decade. Our company encouraged us to take part in the 'gaokao' in a different way. I am happy to have given 'gaokao' examinees a free ride during the past decade, and I hope every student can get good grades.”

Some of Karamay's volunteering drivers pose for a group photo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The campaign was jointly sponsored by Karamay's video broadcast center, the roads and traffic bureau, the Karamay branch of the traffic police, and Karamay China Broadcasting Corporation. 

Edited by Owen Fishwick