A group of three-wheeled trucks driven by farmers arrived at Dongxi toll station, Yuqian highway at 10 a.m. on December 1, Chongqing Evening News reports. Each lorry was cluttered with all sorts of personal belongings such as stools, beddings, thermos flasks and plastic casks.
The farmers are temporary employees from Sichuan who have been working in Shantou, Guangdong in south China. Having lost their jobs through the financial crisis, they have had to return home in their three-wheeled delivery trucks after a long-distance trip of about 3000 kilometers. "There are fourteen vehicles altogether and other big groups are following," said one driver.
Officials at Dongxi Toll Station stopped the farmers and persuaded them to take another route after ascertaining that there was no proper safety provision in the tricycles, that many drivers could not show driving licences, and that many were carrying elderly people and women.
The farmers took the advice offered and returned to the ordinary 201 trunk road. Including drivers, there are 11 people in a group of four lorries, with one household per vehicle. The group left Guangdong on November 18 and has been on the move for 14 days through Guangxi and Guizhou.
It is about 3 p.m. when they reach Qihe Toll Station in Chongqing and stop to take a rest. A passing villager asks: "Are you moving house with all these things?" "No, we are just going home!" the front driver Mr. Qin answers loudly, his eyes moist--the homeward road is full of difficulties.
Mr. Qin explains that they come from Pingchang County, Sichuan and had been working as motor truck drivers in Shantou, while their wives carried out quality checks on plastic products at factories. With many local factories closing as the financial crisis hits, they have all lost their jobs and have decided to return home for a while.
But why not travel by train or by car? Mr. Qin said they were reluctant to spend a lot of money on train tickets, and they could not abandon the valuable vehicles and tools through which they earn their living, so they decided to go home in their trucks. They bought a map before leaving, and estimated the trip home from Shantou was about 3000 kilometers.
On their way, they have had to stop and carry out repairs: one truck broke down in Guangdong; one rolled down a hill and injured the driver, who had to abandon his truck and change to the train; two trucks broke down in Guizhou...as of December 1 there remain only 4 who had reached Chongqing.
The group has experienced all sorts of hardships. They have to achieve at least 10 hours on the road every day in order to get home as quickly as possible. "Look at my leather shoes; they are worn out from the distance I have walked," one driver held out his left foot, pointing to the split upper. "These were brand new when I left..."