Many of us have experienced the rider-side of rideshare services like Lyft and Uber. The driver side is completely different though – their reasons and the process to become a driver as well as the passengers they interact with. We interviewed a current driver who works for both Uber and Lyft in Boston to hear about the other side. Check out the interview below.
How long have you been driving for rideshare services? And which ones do you drive for?
I have been driving for both Uber and Lyft since October 2014, close to a year now.
Why did you decide to try driving for a rideshare services?
I have a full-time job, but wanted to make a little extra money during my downtime. A gig with Uber or Lyft seemed like an easy and convenient way to earn some extra money. Plus, I already used the services as a passenger, so I felt comfortable moving onto the driver side.
How do you sign up to be a driver?
Uber: The process to become a driver for Uber is largely digitized and not too lengthy of a process. I uploaded all required personal documents online and the company conducted a background check. Final approval and permission to download the driver app, which is separate and different than the passenger app, took over one week. Overall, I felt this process was not as smooth as Lyft.
Lyft: On the other hand, the process to become a driver for Lyft was much more thorough. More personal information and an in-person meet up with a Lyft “mentor” were required. A Lyft Mentor is a current Lyft driver who signs up to meet with you for an additional stipend from the company. Once all paperwork is approved and a background check is completed, a mentor reaches out via text message to schedule a meet up time and location. During this appointment, the mentor will take pictures of your car, walk you through using the Lyft app, and go for a practice ride with you. After this is successfully completed, I was approved to start driving for Lyft within 48 hours. Unlike Uber, the Lyft driver app is the same as the passenger app; you are given permissions to switch between the two.
How do you balance/manage working for both rideshare services?
Before starting my driving shift, I look over both apps to see if any surcharges or guarantees are available; this is based off of passenger demand. Uber uses surcharges to encourage drivers: surcharges multiply the fare price by a given amount so you can make more money with the same amount of rides. Lyft uses guarantees to encourage drivers: drivers are guaranteed to make $25 per hour (or another given amount) if you sign on and work for one hour.
I am more likely to choose to drive for Lyft because they implement the guarantee more often because this only affects the driver, rather than the passenger too. However, if there is no guarantee, I will choose Uber because there is normally a higher demand: more people using the app and requesting rides. This means more riders and more money.
Do you prefer driving for one service over another? If so, why?
I prefer driving for Lyft over Uber because of the clientele. The passengers I pick up for Lyft are generally more relaxed, conversational, and easier to get along with. Passengers I pick up with Uber seem to have a different mentality; many are rude, demanding, and less personable. They treat you like a chauffeur rather than a friend.
From a passenger perspective, do you prefer riding in Lyft or Uber?
I prefer to use Lyft as a passenger; it’s usually cheaper.
What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of this type of work?
Advantages: The big advantage for me is the flexibility and ability to work whenever I want. I can work all night or for an hour, any day of the week. I love that there are no cash transactions and everything is electronic. It takes the headache out of dealing with cash and change and all that.
Disadvantages: The wear and tear on my personal vehicle as well as the cost of gas are both disadvantages. Neither Uber nor Lyft reimburses you for vehicle maintenance or gas costs associated with providing rides.
What’s best ride you have given? Worst ride?
Best ride: While driving for Lyft, I started talking to a married couple I was bringing to downtown Boston. The man worked for a large banking corporation in the city. I told him I was interested in potentially working for that company full-time and we ended up exchanging professional information! He took my resume and helped get me an interview with the company. I love that: people helping people.
Worst ride: I was driving for Uber when I picked up a rowdy group. They kept putting in addresses to incorrect locations and changing destinations after I arrived. They picked up and dropped off multiple people without ever asking. Then after I finally dropped them off at what seemed like the final location, they made a scene and entered into the vehicle again for a final drop-off. It was a nightmare.
Do you think these types of companies are here for the long haul? (Take over taxi industry?) How do you see them evolving?
Yes, I see companies like Uber and Lyft here for the long run. They already have decent market share and continue to gain popularity. The taxi industry is not evolving with the new type of demand from riders; so many people complain about taxis to me while I am driving for Lyft and Uber. I think rideshare services will take over the taxi industry very soon.
I see rideshare services evolving into transportation services for more than people. They will utilize their services to offer more types of on-demand services, maybe more food delivery or even package delivery.
Do you feel this type of work should be more structured or regulated as certain state legislatures are trying to achieve?
I personally don’t think that this type of work should be more structured, but I do see the other side. As a part-time worker, I like that I can create my schedule and have so much flexibility. I think benefits and structured schedules may work for full-time workers, but not for someone like me. If they switched over the more regulated work hours I would quit, I need the flexibility.
