[AMA] I'm an Uber Driver in Sydney. Ask me anything

che_97 on 12/01/2016 - 22:15
Last edited 23/01/2016 - 12:04 by 3 other users

I've seen that uber deals get posted a lot here on ozbargain and there seems to be a bit of interest for people driving in their spare time: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/229564

Maybe you have taken an Uber in the past and want to ask a driver something you'd normally be too uncomfortable to ask in person.

Ask me anything.

Edit: I've noticed a lot of people are interested in becoming an Uber driver after reading about the $200 sign up bonus.

Here is how it works: If an existing Uber X driver recommends a new driver, then the existing driver (referrer) gets $200 only (not the new driver).

This payment is made after the new driver has completed 20 jobs (about 1 full day of work)

Mod: Removed referral code. Please do not mention or solicit referral codes anywhere in this post or in comments.

Introduce Yourself

closed Comments

    • tyler.durden on 14/01/2016 - 08:02

      yes

      the rule is car is within 9 years..

      next year u need to buy a newer model car that is within that age limit..

      So if you drove for uber with a 2006 year car last year, this year it no longer qualifies and now need to buy a newer car.

      that's the downside of uber, u need to buy a new car when your car is not within the 9 year age limit.
      even though u have been working with them and your old car is still usable and passed the inspection each year,
      you still need to buy a newer car.

      So this adds into the cost of working for uber every few years.

      So to get maximum working time out of uber, you would need to buy the most recent or 1 year from current year car..
      e.g. 2015 car..

      And this would mean you need to spend at least $14000 and above..if u want to work for uber for at least 8 to 9 years.
      else you would need to buy a new car ever few years.

      ===

      What I like to know is if u can get tax deduction when you get a new car.

  • Flying owl on 14/01/2016 - 06:10

    Interesting topic op,
    What is the aproximate income during weekdays?

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 09:34

      Depends on how long you work and what time of the day and even what day of the week.
      But the weekdays are generally less. I find it hard to make more than $200 on some weekdays

      • Flying owl on 15/01/2016 - 15:44

        Thanks for your reply mate.

  • iluvsydney on 14/01/2016 - 09:30

    Hi che_97,

    Does uber allow city cars like hyundai getz. Mine is a 2009 model.

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 09:34

      Yes, it just has to be 4 doors

  • pufffdragon on 14/01/2016 - 10:06

    I have not used a taxi in many years nor and have ever tried Uber.

    If I were to do this as a job, should I be familiar with the surrounding areas or should I not worry because a GPS is used?

    Also is the GPS used all the time for directions or do you make your own decisions to where the best route is? I know GPS's can throw you way off sometimes.Thanks

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 12:12

      You don't need to know the city that well but a basic understanding of major locations is very helpful. You can always use the Gps but if you know a better way then you can take that too. I don't pretend to ever know where I'm going if I don't and I just ask the client if they have a preferred route or if they want me to follow the Gps. Most people are happy to follow the gps as they know google maps is pretty good

      • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 09:23

        what do u do about red light and speed cameras since google maps don't support it..

        Can we send the location to waze instead?

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 13:22
          +2

          You can use waze instead if you like.
          Solution is simple though. Don't speed or go through red lights…

        • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 14:50

          @che_97:

          It is not about speeding or running red lights..

          It is about being alerted to their presence so u don't get fine

          Also when you doing a job and trying to find locations, you might missed a sign or forget what speed you are suppose to be driving at.

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 16:11
          +3

          @tyler.durden: don't speed or run red lights and you'll never get a fine for speeding or running red lights. How does one "forget" to not run a red light.
          As for speeding. I too have been caught out doing 60 in a 50 zone and I've learnt my lesson and check signs before doing 60.
          Either way, you have the option to use waze should you want to

        • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 16:39

          @che_97:

          What I mean by forget is :

          Shit happens, if u are looking for the address
          your mind might not be a pay attention to the lights

          or u could be driving through amber color but get caught up in the traffic flow, while the lights turn red..

          The point is, shit happens

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 17:13
          +3

          @tyler.durden: I get where you are coming from but your duty on the road is to obey all laws. I'm not saying I'm perfect but when I'm with passengers I have priorities and #1 is keeping them safe and #2 is making sure I follow all laws.

  • striker5950 on 14/01/2016 - 12:21

    how does toll get calculated and charged to the riders account? do you use an e-tag?
    do you have to talk to the riders while driving, i really rather not because i know im the kind that will get distracted.
    how do you pickup a passenger on the side of the road where your not supposed to stop, i assume you put the hazard lights on correct?

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 12:26

      Correct. Hazard lights if it's less than a 5 second stop. Otherwise just pull up where you can and the passenger will have to walk to you.
      I'm often the one to instigate chat, and I gauge how much they want to talk from there. You will need to talk to some customers as some people do love to talk. You can get just really good at getting people to talk about themselves and pay minimal attention. People love talking about themselves

      • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 09:23

        can u answer the question about…

        how does toll get calculated and charged to the riders account? do you use an e-tag?

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 13:21

          I use an e-tag.

          The tolls are calculated automatically by uber by the gps route you take.
          The toll is added to the fare ( so in effect you are paid for the toll as it's taken out of your account)

        • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 14:51

          @che_97:

          But u only get paid while you are driving the client through the toll, not when u need to go back through the toll without a client.

          so they only paid for one way.

        • fatal on 15/01/2016 - 15:39

          @tyler.durden:

          Which is obviously the same if you were a Taxi driver. It's a cost of doing business.

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 16:04

          @tyler.durden: I just don't take the toll on the way back… Or I wait for a passenger to go that way. I don't pay for any of my own tolls without a passenger. And unless the customer asks me to or it saves them a lot of time I recommend they avoid tolls.

          Also yes to the above. This is just the cost of doing business.

        • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 16:41

          @che_97:

          So u ask them if they want to go through tolls?

          Some places just really hard to go through without going through tolls, like the city

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 17:05
          +1

          @tyler.durden: yeah I just ask them so the desicion becomes theirs. There are times (like really late at night) where the tunnel doesn't save you $5 worth of fare

          Other times though, like during peak hour it's so worth the $5

  • striker5950 on 14/01/2016 - 12:46

    how about the toll?

    and does uber pay better than your previous marketing job?

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 20:56

      The tolls are added to the fare and paid separately to the commission ( uber isn't taking 20% of the toll)

      And yeah this is paying better than the previous job.

      • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 09:24

        do u use e-tags?

        how much were u making in marketing?

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 13:19
          +1

          I use an e-tag yeah.

          My salary was just under 50k but there was a lot overtime on weekends and after work that was paid pretty well. Even including that I'm still better off ubering

  • Inflow on 14/01/2016 - 12:47

    How much data usage per month when using Google maps for Uber?

    Does the Uber app respond fine if its minimized while using Google maps for direction?
    Also I heard Uber app doesn't show areas ahead in case one goes through a tunnel.

    What happens if someone from city ends up taking you to some remote area? Or somewhere very very far? its a big loss?

    how much would one make if they worked Thursday-Sunday 4 hours per day roughly? After Uber deduction

    And also thanks for the AMA session

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 20:55

      I have no idea how much data google maps uses exactly but it's not a lot. I haven't reset my data counter in months and my phone shows that google maps has used 1.3gb of data.
      My data plan is 5gb and I don't go through it all (unless I'm watching a lot of video elsewhere)
      The uber app should just be used for the pick up and to start the job. The rest of the way you can use google.

      If you know you are going through a tunnel, you just need to note which exit you need to take ( you can still do this whilst in the tunnel)

      If someone takes you very far, you make a lot of money ! Anywhere is worth driving really. I actually did this exercise. Say someone wanted to drive 300km away.
      That's about a 3.5 hour drive. That's $84 in just the hire of the car for that time. It's $2.5 to hire the car and $1.45 per km
      $544 all up. Even if you got zero fare on the way back it's still $435 for 7 hours work.

      This is obviously an extreme case but long trips are always worth it. Even if the car has to go back to somewhere central empty. Also the chance of you getting a fare in a remote area is higher as you'll probably be the only driver.

      • Ridiculous Panda on 15/01/2016 - 09:01
        +2

        Not $435 for 7 hours of work but rather 7 hours of driving your own car (before GST and fuel).. Wait until you service the car after 6 months of ubering and you'll know not much of that money is actually yours.

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 13:30

          Even after gst and fuel it still works out to be $50 an hour. You'd be hard pressed to make much more than that even at the busiest of times.
          Not to mention that on the 3.5 hour drive back to where ever you came you might even stumble upon a fare (and probably a long one as you'll be far from central anything)

  • tymatk on 14/01/2016 - 13:58

    Can you work just weekend only? …. and maybe some week nights?

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 14:11
      +1

      You can work as much or as little as you like. No minimums or maximums

  • WT on 14/01/2016 - 14:32

    Do you think there should be a maximuim? Like truck drivers have?

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 14:47

      Yeah sor safety reasons there should be. It would like pilots have. X many hours within x period permitted

  • Gohan on 14/01/2016 - 18:24

    I'm new to Sydney, and am considering driving for Uber. How well do I need to know the streets, or can i just get by, by following the GPS?

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 20:41
      +1

      You can easily get by on Gps and you'll eventually learn as you go. Just be honest with the passengers and tell them you are new and don't know the area very well. They can direct you or follow the gps

  • fozzie on 14/01/2016 - 19:32
    +1

    This guy has really damaged image http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3397179/Uber-driver-…

    • Ughhh on 14/01/2016 - 21:06

      …why didn't they call an ambulance?? If I was in trouble, whether a medical condition or being chased by a murderer, I wouldn't call Uber, I'd call the Ambulance or police..

      • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 21:28
        +1

        100%

        Also. The driver had just witnessed someone throwing up. That would be the only reason for me to decline someone. Even if they offered to pay for all cleaning expenses you wouldn't be able to recoup the lost income.

        Also, I'd feel bad chasing a new mother and father for cleaning money.

        Then again there is a part of me that says do it. You would really make that persons day

  • abh_gup on 14/01/2016 - 21:24
    -8

    Uber may be, may not be good.

    I do feel sorry for ordinary Taxi drivers, who have to have mandatory ABN registration (as per law, regardless of their income), pay for (directly or indirectly) the expensive taxi plates and indirect levies/govt charges; ordinary taxis have meters that ATO can call upon to check (should they want to dig in)…

    Ubers only cash in on what's already been set up and straightened by the directorate. (much like microsoft stealing from Apple/Linux back in the 90s).
    Come hard times, taxi's are always more likely to show up than Uber drivers that don't have the occupational obligation (unless its another media stunt, like when Lindt shooting happened… but hey, they manipulated there too!).

    I personally am acquainted a few drivers, both ordinary taxi and those of Uber. The Uber ones don't quite understand the role they play in the countries tax system and welfare. Now one may blame the individual for not paying tax honestly. But that's how Uber plays it gray with legal system.

    More than anything, it is a very big ethical case, if one was not to consider their own pockets only, but the society at large.

    IMHO, i don't like business supporting others only when times are good, just in the fair weather. I'd rather pay the extra dollar than see someone else get burnt.

  • dealover on 14/01/2016 - 21:52
    +1

    Great read . Thanks a lot for posting . I'll surely use your code if I decide to Uber.

  • c9 on 14/01/2016 - 22:57
    +2

    In your opinion, do you think you make more money by driving Uber than a cab?

    • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 23:54
      +1

      i think overall they work out to be similar. The key difference is risk. Uber drivers always pay 20% of the fare to Uber. Where are Cab drivers pay a set hire fee. In Sydney, this hire fee is about $120 per 12 hour shift (reportedly more on friday nights). So if i Cab driver makes $600 in one shift then he's paying the same proportion as an Uber driver would.

      Should things go a little pear shaped however and he or she can't make it, say they make $400 in an evening, (not including the cost of gas) then they have effectively given the cab owner 30% of their shares.

      As to who brings home more total $ i would say its still the cab drivers. However, they do have this higher risk

      • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 09:30

        why do u say cab being more money?

        what do u mean higher risk?
        is it mainly the cab hire car fee?

        ===

        There is a downside of uber, u need to maintain and buy your own car.
        and also if it gets older than 9 years then u need to replace it with a newer one, which then adds in the cost.

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 13:14

          Cabs charge more. So if a cab does 100km with passengers in a shift they'll make more than an uber driver who does 100km

          Higher risk is the upfront cost of hiring the cab for the shift or leasing the cab for a year (40k)

          You need to maintain your own car anyway. You'll need to do it more frequently but it's not like it's a costs that didn't completely exist before.
          In my case I have a car that I could uber with over the next 10 years. That's only $14000 a year. Most of which will already be paid off in the first couple months.

        • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 15:06

          @che_97:

          yeah do need to maintain your car,

          but not it would need to be done even more frequently due to more wear and tear.

          You also need to pay higher cost in insurance.

          Also so far no one has actually tested that $5 million dollar uber insurance, should your insurer not honour your insurance..

  • striker5950 on 15/01/2016 - 00:13

    i heard uber gives you a free iphone to use as gps, is that the case in australia too? is it still the 4s which does not have 4g whch kinda sucks

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 00:14

      I've heard this as well but as i already have a smartphone i didn't even bother asking. Last thing i need is another phone.

      I have seen some other uber drivers using two phones in their cars (Personal and Uber)

      • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 09:31
        -5

        can u find out if they give u a phone?

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 12:51

          Some drivers have been given loan phones by uber but I don't know what the process is

        • fatal on 15/01/2016 - 15:50

          They definitely give you a phone if you don't have a smartphone or ask for one. It's a Galaxy S5/S6 or iPhone 5/5s/6.

        • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 15:54
          -3

          @fatal:

          wow..

          can che_97 confirm please

      • striker5950 on 15/01/2016 - 14:09

        do we have to put our own sim card in it?

  • iceblock333 on 15/01/2016 - 01:56

    A friend of a friend who also contracts for Uber said you also need to pay $1400 for public liability insurance each year. Is this true?? Sounds kind of high, even for public liability.

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 12:52
      +1

      They are referring to their comprehensive insurance probably which is about that much money per year (depending on your car)
      Uber cover you for public liability whilst on a job

      • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 15:08

        can u explain difference between public liability and comprehensive insurance?

        Is it to do with?

        comprehensive insurance -repairs your car and other person car

        public liability - pays for damages to public property.

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 15:57

          Not my area of expertise but as I see it public liability is damage to anything that's not your car, someone else's car or their passengers.

  • Lancerx on 15/01/2016 - 03:01

    What's the start up cost of starting an uber car?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 12:54

      If you already have everything you need then nothing.
      If your car is less than 10 years old and has 4 doors then you don't need another car
      If your phone is suitable then you don't need a new phone
      If you already have comprehensive insurance then you don't need any more insurance
      Uber pay for your police check
      You have to pay for your driving history check but uber reimburse the cost of this

      • Lancerx on 15/01/2016 - 16:36

        Thanks! Can I just confirm, you get paid hourly rate?or just whatever 80% fare paid? And fuel you just pay yourself I guess in full yes?

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 17:11

          Hey droid. 80% of all fares and yes you have to pay all your own fuel. In my car where I'm getting 8-10l/100km (in heavy traffic conditions) it costs me about 10% of my takings (what I'm getting after Ubers cut)

  • tymatk on 15/01/2016 - 09:39

    SO you have to have a newer car to work for Uber?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 12:52

      Car requirements are 4 doors and less than 10 years old. Cars can't be ex-taxis

      • tymatk on 15/01/2016 - 13:00

        How about 4wd, namely 2012 prado, is baby seat has to be remove?

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 13:16

          If you have a baby seat, I would keep it in the boot in case anyone has children. But yes, I wouldn't want to get into a car with a baby seat because the driver couldn't be bothered to remove it.

          4wds are super comfortable for passengers. If you already have one then great ! You should try uber. Just be aware that fuel will be more than other cars.

  • phoenixx on 15/01/2016 - 11:39

    I was wondering if you can turn down a job due to the destination being too far away? For instance both Brisbane and Gold Coast have Uber. If someone books you and says - take me to the Gold Coast, can you say no?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 12:19
      +2

      Great question ! I am not sure because there might be limitations of which areas you are allowed to serve.
      However it would be silly to deny the job as it would be excellent money.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/01/2016 - 14:52

    Do you really care what the passengers rating is?

    Do you get annoyed if people fall asleep in the car?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 15:03

      If the rating is too low it implies they have done something for other drivers to rate them down. If it's above 4.5 I don't care.

      I haven't declined anyone for a low score yet and I've picked up a 3 star passenger. I did realise why this passengers score was so low. It was a group of young drunk men who were rowdy. I didn't mind but I realised why others may have rated them down.

      I don't care if people fall asleep at all. It's their ride, they can enjoy it however they wish.

  • tyler.durden on 15/01/2016 - 15:10

    If a group of people go to the same location,
    then how many are u allowed to carry?

    Also if each person wants to be drop off at different locations home,
    how would that work?

    ==

    Do u work on wet weather like those storms previous days or raining days?

    I know u have flexible hours
    But what hours do u normally prefer to work between?
    9-5? etc..

  • Sika on 15/01/2016 - 15:29

    Hi mate ! How much tax you are paying now.
    I have a fulltime job , but I wanna earn more ! If I work just 12hrs for Sat and Sun ! How much tax need to be pay extra ? My tax is 80 a week, and I got family , it may different for single ! Thx mate!

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 15:52

      Hey man. I haven't paid any tax yet as I still need to set up my stuff with my accountant. How much tax you'll pay really depends on your individual circumstances. Your best to speak to your tax agent about this. It's still worth doing even if you pay more marginal tax as its extra cash and you might already have everything you need

  • Schema on 15/01/2016 - 15:56

    How many KM's have you racked up on your car since driving? Also how long have you been for?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 16:00

      Not that many to be honest. On the previous car maybe 5k and on the new one barely 1k

      I've only been ubering full time for a month and before that part time for a few weeks here and there

  • Roqua on 15/01/2016 - 16:52

    Is Uber a real hotly debated topic in your area? With all the taxi vs uber issues, where do you stand?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 17:09
      +1

      Uber X is now legal in nsw. I think this has ended much of the debate. As an individual I'm all for innovation. That's what uber really is, it's innovating the way people move around. I'm quite excited to see how the whole driverless car fits into the scheme.

      As for taxi vs uber. I feel sorry for those who have invested their own money into taxi plates as in the past it was a huge, massive even commitment running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. However sorry I feel for them though, we live in a free market and they invested in something that had not done a thing to improve itself in many years. Taxis were a cash cash and the moment a new player comes into the market they cry poor.

      The way I see it is taxis are the typewriters of old and Ubers are computers. It does almost everything better and the taxis are complaining because their technology (or in this case their offering) is no longer as in demand.

  • outlander on 15/01/2016 - 18:15
    +1
    1. What clothes do you wear? If a situation called for a chauffeurs hat, could you pull one out in a pinch?
    2. Do you drive any differently than normal when ubering? Has anyone jumped in your car and told you 'step on it chief'?
    3. Did you play the taxi missions in GTA as a kid?
    4. Have you had any reviews that left you puzzled from two faced customers?
    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 18:54
      +1
      1. I wear what ever I'm comfortable in. Usually just a t shirt and shorts or jeans. Today I was driving in my thongs. No one cares what I wear. What's important is that im comfortable.
        No. I do not know where I could get a chauffeurs hat nor can I forsee a situation where one would be needed.
      2. I probably drive more cautiously with my gear changes so that the customer is more comfortable and the car doesn't jump.
      3. Yes I did. Also crazy taxi. What valuable lessons we learn.
      4. No bad reviews yet.
  • Lancerx on 15/01/2016 - 18:59

    With Uber legalised in WA & NSW, any extra cost incurred as a result of this?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 19:10

      Not yet but it's coming in April. Not sure what is going to happen as I think they are still in negotiations but certainly legalising means that there will be more red tape and what ever it is will be passed onto the customer

  • John on 15/01/2016 - 19:18

    Not sure if it's been asked before.. but I've got some curious questions:

    1. If a passenger reported to uber and ask for refund from a past trip, and was granted (either full or partial refund). Do you as the driver gets your pay adjusted and see the details of who and why the fare was refunded?

    2. What's the standard cleanliness in the car? I've rode UberX once in Perth going to the Airport. Got picked up in a Hyundai Getz but the baggage was full of his stuff. I had to stuck my baggage to the backseat. As it was the first time I rode, I gave him 5 stars. On hindsight, I thought maybe I should've given him 4 stars..

    3. Any funny story in your experience of driving Uber?

    I asked the first question because when I was in Singapore, I did this 3 times as the driver was just messing around with route etc so I asked Uber a few days later to review the case and I got some refunds. I wondered if they ever see that and how Uber handles it directly with the driver.

    Thanks and all the best with your Uber profession! :)

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 20:31
      +1

      Hey John, thanks for the questions.
      1.this is a great question but unfortunately I don't know as its never happened to me (hopefully never will.)
      My guess is that yes, the money comes from the driver.

      1. The overall cleanliness is pretty damn good. I usually have a backpack in my car with a change of clothes in case I do a long shift or if I stay at a friend's place after I finish. I have seen other drivers with stuff in their cars as well. The boot shouldn't be full though as it is probable that someone will want to put their stuff in the boot.

      Although a lot of uber cars are small as they are mainly for porting people around and not heaps of luggage.

      1. As for funny stories there are many. Check out one of the posts on the first page of this post about an Irish guy.

      Another story involves picking up someone who was literally about to propose to his girlfriend.

  • prhino on 15/01/2016 - 21:32

    What sort of car insurance do you have have, and are you confident it covers you if you get an accident?

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 21:42

      I have comprehensive insurance and I am confident as I have been in an accident and there were no problems.

  • nk10025 on 15/01/2016 - 21:39

    Buying your car insurance do you declare as a business or individual use

    • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 21:41

      Business.

      • striker5950 on 16/01/2016 - 00:11

        does it have to be business?
        the car is registered privately with the rta atm is that ok?

        • che_97 on 16/01/2016 - 00:30

          Neither the insurance nor the registration have to be business as far as uber is concerned.

        • striker5950 on 16/01/2016 - 21:40

          @che_97: but to claim third party insurance if you smahed into someone, does the car have to be insured as a business for them to pay the other guy?

        • che_97 on 16/01/2016 - 22:53

          @striker5950:
          If you are at fault: You pay your excess
          If you are not at fault: the other driver is chased by your insurer for the money.

  • Hansi on 16/01/2016 - 10:03

    A. Do you have to have 4 spare seats?

    Example: Can you take a friend somewhere at the same time as transporting passengers ( since the total amount of seats would be one down)?

    B. Is there a maximum number of passengers you are allowed to transport at the same time or can you deny an Uber request if they want you to fit in more passengers than allowed ( 6 people in a 5 seater for example)?

    • che_97 on 16/01/2016 - 11:18

      Hey Hansi, great questions.

      A. You have to have 4 seats available. So you can't take anyone whilst ubering

      B. Max passengers with Uberx is 4. You can deny the request based on this. You will probably have to turn up the location first though as you don't know how many passengers they have until you get there.

  • rvsure on 16/01/2016 - 14:47

    Thanks for doing this AMA.I have two questions

    1.Can a passenger reject a driver for whatever reason? Small car or poorly maintained etc?
    2. Uber has been fighting so many legal battles across the globe. Aren't you worried about taking Uber as full time job? Some day NSW may pass a law to ban Uber.

    • che_97 on 16/01/2016 - 16:18
      1. Passengers can cancel a trip within 5 minutes of ordering one without penalty.

      After that the customer is charged the minimum ride fee ($8 in nsw). The only reason I can think of where a customer would not get charged after the 5 minute cut off is if they had too much luggage and the car was too small. The driver would have to input this option into his or her system though. If the passenger were to cancel from their end, they would get charged.

      1. Uber was already technically illegal in nsw and it didn't stop people. Illegal does not correlate with unethical. I highly doubt now that it is being regulated that it would be banned.
        If for what ever reason it were banned it wouldn't phase me too much, I would go work elsewhere. I don't think many drivers get into uber planning to do it forever.

      Thanks for the good questions !

  • super-tight on 16/01/2016 - 17:41

    Hi there,

    Are you aware of any new Uber "schemes" coming up?

    To explain, I would be interested in driving but I would prefer to choose the destination. So I would like to pick up and drop off passengers on the way from my house to my work or vice versa.

    Similarly, if it was a weekend and I had an errand to run in some area, then I would like to drive from my house to that place and only pick up passengers who are headed in the same direction.

    I do believe they have it in the US. Kinda like a carpooling scheme. Are you aware of similar schemes that maybe introduced in coming months?

    If not the carpooling, any other new schemes in the works?

    Thanks

    • che_97 on 23/01/2016 - 04:02

      This is a great idea but uber isn't doing anything like this yet. They specifically don't want you to know where the passenger is going until they get in so you can't pick and choose which customers you take.

  • sulmar on 16/01/2016 - 18:24

    Hey,

    I just have one question about the star rating system.

    Isn't it risky if someone invests abit of money into a car and starts ubering but then get's negative rating (below 4.5) for no reason? E,g Meets a few passengers early on who are racist/discriminatory?

    That's pretty much the only reason i am a little worried about due to being from a non-white background.

    Thanks for doing a AMA btw, really appreciate.

    • che_97 on 16/01/2016 - 20:35
      +3

      That's a fair point and it's not really one I ever thought about. So first off, sorry that you ever have to think like this as it mustn't be nice.

      However I think your great service that you will provide can overcome someone's prejudice.

      You could do some things to help yourself. Such as:

      Be very clear from the start where the passenger wants to go. Especially if there are multiple stops on the journey. This is common when taking a group of drunk people home.

      If English isn't your first language and you struggle to understand people or be understood, take the time to speak clearer, a little louder and use the opportunity to practise the key phrases you will need to repeat frequently.

      This applies to everyone but I think people's racial prejudices might make them notice more if you aren't doing this: make sure your personal hygiene is up to standard. Every time you drive, make sure you showered that day. Often you can't smell your own stink.

      If this advice sounds stupid to you, great. You are probably going to be an excellent driver.

      Other general advice:
      Never get angry at short fares. Not to the customer, not to yourself. It's part of the job and it's your bread and butter. Nothing worse than getting in a cab or uber and the driver is angry about your destination.

      Be polite and avoid all political/religious discussions until you know the customers views align with yours.

      Good luck

      • sulmar on 16/01/2016 - 22:59

        Fair enough.

        Thanks for the advice :)

        Cheers

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