uber hack

How To Check If Your Uber Driver Account Was Hacked – Uber Data Breach Update

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[su_box title=”What Is The Uber Data Breach?” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]In October 2016, Hackers stole the names and driver’s license numbers of 600,000 drivers, and stole the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of 57 million riders. Uber than paid the hackers $100,000 to delete the data. Uber did not reveal the data breach until November 21, 2017, over a year later.

48 of the 50 states have laws requiring companies to report data breaches to state regulators or authorities, usually within 30 days. Many of the laws also require the company to notify users affected by the data breach. Uber did neither until last week.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s statement on the breach is here.[/su_box]

How To Check If Your Uber Driver Account Was Hacked.

Driver’s can contact Uber to check if hackers stole their information here. Sign in to Uber on the page, then enter “yes” in the box to have Uber contact you. Uber should then email you shortly to let you know if hackers stole your information.

If you’re a driver, you will be receiving an email or letter offering you free credit monitoring and identity theft protection, likely through Experian.

All drivers should read the terms and conditions carefully before signing up, to make sure you aren’t giving up your right to sue.

[su_box title=”Read The Fine Print” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]

uber hack experian
[/su_box]

Everyone Is Suing Uber Over The Data Breach

In other news, the fallout from the Uber data breach continues.

Yesterday, the Washington Attorney General filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Uber. The day before, the City of Chicago sued Uber, and the Senate Finance Committee requested information from the company.

Uber has now been sued 12 times (so far) over the data breach. Also, a Senate investigation is becoming increasingly likely.

The Uber Data Breach Effect On Passengers

Uber’s official response to riders is here.

If you’re an Uber passenger, hackers probably can’t steal your identity with the information they stole. However, hackers could use the information for phone scams and email spearfishing attacks. So, if you receive calls or emails asking to confirm any Uber account details, it’s probably a scam.

Also, whether you’re a rider or a driver, there are probably a number of class action lawsuits that have been filed, or will be, that you can join.

If you don’t want to accept Uber’s offer to pay for identity theft protection, Reviews.com has a good roundup of other available identity theft protection services.

uber lyft airport queues

Is It Worth It To Wait In The Uber and Lyft Airport Queue?

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I get a lot of emails asking about Uber and Lyft airport pick ups and drop offs.

The three most common topics are:

  • Uber And Lyft Airport Requirements
  • Short Distance Rides From The Airport
  • Long Wait Times In The Uber And Lyft Airport Queues

Uber And Lyft Airport Trade Dress (Signage) Requirements

Each Uber & Lyft market has different airport requirements. In general, the signage requirements are the same as if you were driving anywhere else in your market. However, some markets (Chicago) require an airport sticker or emblem.

The only major exceptions to this are at the LAX (Los Angeles) and SAN (San Diego) airports.

 

uber airport requirements

For some reason, at those airports, you can only display signage from one company. It’s a stupid rule that has no reason for existing. However, if you are caught with both Uber and Lyft signs on your car at either airport, you’re facing a major fine.

So, if you are dropping off a Lyft rider at LAX, make sure to take your Uber signage down. If you’re picking up an Uber passenger from SAN, take your Lyft sign down.

Yes, it makes no sense. But that’s how it is at those two airports.

As for other markets, simply check the Lyft or Uber site for airport requirements in your market. Usually, there aren’t any major additional requirements, besides an airport sticker or emblem.

Short Distance Rides From The Airport

This is by far the biggest complaint I hear about airport pickups. A driver sits in the lot for an hour, and then gets a request from the terminal. When they get to the terminal, they find out the passenger is only going to an airport hotel 10 minutes away.

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In order to fix this issue, both Uber and Lyft have been testing short ride return to queue systems for airport pickups. Basically, if you get a short ride from the airport, you can return to the queue and you’ll still be at the front of the line.

Unfortunately, the fix only seems to work if the ride was a minimum fare, or close to it. Most places, it seems if the ride is longer than 10 minutes, you don’t get placed in the front of the queue.

Long Wait Times In The Uber And Lyft Airport Lots

If you’ve noticed the wait times at the airport getting longer and longer, you’re not going crazy. They actually have gotten longer and there two reasons for it.

ewr photo

Photo by InSapphoWeTrust

First, for some reason, many drivers seem to go to the airport when it’s slow out. I don’t know why, but in general, this is not a profitable move. All that’s likely to happen is that you’ll sit in the lot for an hour when you could’ve been giving rides. Also, there’s no guarantee that after waiting an hour, you’re going to get a long and profitable ride. You could get a short ride going to an airport hotel.

So, if you were told to go to the airport when it’s not busy, stop doing that.

The second reason airport queue times have increase is that both Uber & Lyft have started pre-matching drivers with pickups. The way it works is that when you are close to dropping off a passenger at the terminal, you’ll get immediately matched with a rider leaving the airport. It’s great, but it also makes the airport lot queue move even slower.

To Wait Or Not To Wait, That Is The Question

In most markets, and at most times, it simply doesn’t pay to wait in the airport lot anymore. If you don’t get pre-matched with a passenger as you’re doing an airport dropoff, it usually makes more sense to get back on the road.

However, in some markets, this may not be the case. If your market doesn’t have pre-matching, the airport queue will likely move faster.

Also, if the airport in your market is really out of the way, and traffic is just terrible (like it is in Los Angeles all the time), then it may make sense to wait in the lot. Also, if your car is dirty, and you want to wipe it down and clean the interior, might as well do that while waiting in the airport queue.

Aside from those exceptions though, you are more likely to make more money if you just leave the airport after dropping off.

Photo by airlines470

Photo by tvanhoosear

los angeles lyft driving

How To Drive Uber Or Lyft In Los Angeles

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The Los Angeles Lyft and Uber Drivers Guide

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Los Angeles is the second largest Uber & Lyft market in the United States. Both companies have been in town for years and have mature and busy operations. The Lyft sign up bonus in Los Angeles is currently $750.

Overall, L.A. is a great town for Uber and Lyft driving. However, because the market is so large geographically, and traffic so horrendous, it helps if you know the ins and outs of the city before you start driving.

Below are some tips on where, when, and how to drive for Uber and Lyft in Los Angeles. Hopefully, these will make navigating the L.A. Uber and Lyft driving experience a bit easier for new and veteran drivers alike.

los angeles uber driving

Where are the best areas to drive Uber or Lyft in Los Angeles?

If you’re driving Lyft or Uber in Los Angeles, the busiest and most lucrative areas overall are:

  • Santa Monica – Beach, 3rd Street, 26th
  • Westwood – UCLA and Westwood Village
  • Beverly Hills – Shopping areas and Sunset Blvd
  • West Hollywood – Santa Monica Blvd, La Cienega
  • Hollywood – Franklin Ave, Highland, Melrose area
  • Downtown – Staples Center, Koreatown
  • LAX – Usually, don’t bother waiting in the lot after dropping off.

All of the areas above basically follow Wilshire Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd east from the ocean to downtown. More ride requests come from these seven areas (on both platforms) than any other parts of Los Angeles.

In general, if you’re near the hill dividing the valley from West L.A., you’re in a good area for ride requests.

However, there are many other lucrative areas in L.A. County when it comes to driving Lyft and Uber.

More places to find Uber & Lyft riders in Los Angeles

If you get a ride that takes you over to Torrance, for example, you might want to head towards the water. Then, head North towards Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. You may get a request before you get to either, but if not, both areas are pretty busy on both Uber & Lyft.

On the other hand, if you get a ride that takes you to Northridge (San Fernando Valley), you’ll want to head South towards Encino. Then go east, which will take you through Sherman Oaks and Studio City, on the way to Hollywood. Being near the hill helps in the valley as well in the city.

In fact, a good rule of thumb for the San Fernando Valley is the closer you are to the hill, and to the studios, the more likely you’ll get a ride request.

Some other areas that are good Los Angeles Uber or Lyft hotspots include Marina Del Rey, Silverlake, Century City, Culver City, and Echo Park

One thing to keep in mind is that because L.A. is so large, you shouldn’t expect to stay in one area. While West L.A. is the most lucrative area, you will wind up all over Los Angeles. Driving Uber or Lyft in L.A. means you could get a ride going to Laguna Niguel, or Ontario, or even up to Big Bear. You just never know.

So, if you find yourself out in the boonies, you may want to use the destination filter to get you a request going towards West L.A. or Downtown.
santa monica photo

Also, not all of the areas listed above are busy all the time. If it’s primarily a residential area (Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu) it’s likely to only be busy during the morning rush, or on weekends.

When are the best times to drive Lyft or Uber in Los Angeles?

The best times to drive rideshare in L.A. are:

  • Weekday mornings between 6:30am and 9:30am
  • Weekday evenings between 4:30pm and 8pm
  • Weekend evenings (Fri. & Sat.) between 6pm and 8pm, and between 10pm and 3am
  • Weekend mornings and afternoons between 10am and 2pm

On weekdays, a good early bird strategy is to be close to the hill that divides West L.A. from the San Fernando Valley, by 5am. If you catch an airport run, you can get back to West L.A. in time for the rush. As with most markets, there are more airport runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Alternatively, you may just catch a commuter heading downtown.

During afternoon rush hour, the best places to be are Downtown, Santa Monica, Century City, and Mid-Wilshire. However, much of West L.A. and Hollywood should be busy during this time.

Weekend Uber & Lyft L.A. Hotspots

Of course, weekends are the most lucrative time to drive either Lyft or Uber in Los Angeles. Early in the evening you can catch rides from the San Fernando Valley, South L.A., or Silverlake, going to West L.A. Once in the city, West Hollywood is the most lucrative hotspot.

Later in the evening, expect a fair number of requests around such locations as The Abbey (West Hollywood), No Vacancy (Hollywood), Los Globos (Silverlake), L.A. Live (Downtown), The Bungalow (Santa Monica), and Yard House (Marina).

On weekend mornings, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Silverlake, and the North San Fernando Valley are prime spots from about 10am through 2pm.

Lyft vs. Uber in Los Angeles

Both are sufficiently busy in the Los Angeles market. However, Uber is busier in some adjacent areas like the Inland Empire.

If you plan on driving mostly in West L.A. and the valley, you can make comparable money on either Uber or Lyft.

If you’re thinking of signing up to drive in Los Angeles, keep in mind that Lyft still offers a sign up bonus ($400 – $700 recently). Uber only offers guaranteed earnings. Again though, you can probably earn comparable amounts on either Uber or Lyft in Los Angeles.

Lyft and Uber driver pay in Los Angeles

During busy hours, you can make $30 per hour driving Lyft or Uber in Los Angeles. However, it’s more reasonable to expect to make $15-$20 per hour when driving for Lyft or Uber in Los Angeles. As you learn your way around the city, you’ll become more efficient and should be able to earn $20 per hour or more consistently. Also, part time drivers who earn the most tend to drive during the busiest hours only.

Here’s how much a couple of full time drivers made in Los Angeles recently. Keep in mind that both drivers had to work a lot of hours to make this much. However, you can make this much on both Lyft and Uber in Los Angeles, if you’re willing to put in the hours.

Uber Los Angeles Driver Pay
Lyft Los Angeles Driver Pay

 

Los Angeles traffic – Uber & Lyft routing tips and shortcuts

Los Angeles traffic is a beast. There’s no other way to put it. It’s also gotten worse over the last decade. Here’s a few tips to help make dealing with L.A. traffic a little easier when you’re rideshare driving.

los angeles traffic photoPhoto by Accretion Disc

Follow Waze most of the time. Because so many people use Waze in Los Angeles, Waze’s time estimates and directions are usually (but not always) pretty accurate. Ignore it when it tells you to go through an alley, or tells you to get off the highway for one exit and then get back on. Other than that, it tends to work a little better than Google Maps, and far better than Uber’s built in navigation.

When headed downtown, Olympic & Pico are decent substitutes for the 10 if it’s really jammed. Also, you’ll want to learn the alternate street routes to LAX (Sepulveda and Centinela, for example) for the times when the 405 is a parking lot.

Since I mentioned the 405, learn the canyon routes from West L.A. to the valley, and vice versa. You should know how to navigate Beverly Glen, Benedict, Coldwater, and Laurel Canyons. Also, learn the shortcuts off of Mulholland (Calneva, Woodcliff, Roscomare) into the valley and the city.

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If you’re trying to get to Hollywood or the 101 from West Hollywood, consider taking Fountain. Also, if La Cienega is jammed, you can take Crescent Heights part of the way.

If you’ve got other L.A. shortcuts you’d like to share, leave them in a comment below.

Uber & Lyft Airport Dropoffs and Pickups in Los Angeles

If you drop off at LAX, make sure you’ve taken the LAX test.

Also, remember that you’re only allowed to display trade dress from one company at LAX. If you’re doing a Lyft dropoff, take your Uber sticker down, and vice versa.

Yes, the one trade dress display rule at LAX (and San Diego’s airport) is monumentally stupid. There is simply no reason for the rule. However, you can catch a big fine if you’re stopped while displaying both Uber and Lyft trade dress at LAX.

Also, if you get matched instantly with another passenger while dropping off at LAX, great. However, if you don’t get another request immediately, it’s usually not worth it to go wait in the lot. You can wind up there for over an hour with no guarantee of a long ride. Often, you’ll be better off just getting back on the road.

Is it better to sign up for Uber or Lyft in Los Angeles?

As noted above, both Uber or Lyft are pretty busy in Los Angeles. If you run both apps at once, you’ll probably see more Uber requests.

However, when it comes to earnings, drivers who are efficient and know their way around can earn $20 per hour or more on both platforms. Likewise, full-time Uber or Lyft drivers in Los Angeles can routinely earn over $1,000 a week.

Some drivers earn much more than that, but they’re usually putting in 60-80 hours per week.

It’s usually best to sign up for both Uber and Lyft. That way, you have two revenue sources. You’ll probably wind up driving more for one, but the best way to see which one you like better is to try them both.

Lyft currently has better sign up incentives in Los Angeles, and higher driver satisfaction.

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best phone mount uber

The Best Phone Mounts For Uber & Lyft Drivers

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Whether you’re driving for Lyft, Uber, or a delivery service like Amazon Flex or Instacart, a good phone mount setup is essential.

Driving around holding your phone, or resting it in the cup holder isn’t safe, and is a sure way to get low ratings.

[su_box title=”What is the best phone mount for Lyft and Uber?” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]

best phone mount uber

Photo by DariuszSankowski [/su_box]

There are three main categories of cell phone mounts:

  • Air Vent Phone Mounts
  • Dashboard Phone Mounts
  • Windshield Phone Mounts.

There are also cigarette lighter/power outlet mounts. We don’t recommend these types of mounts because the phone usually rests too low.

Your phone should be mounted at or near eye level, making it easy to keep your eyes on the road.

Read on to learn more about the different types of phone mounts and see our recommended phone mounts for Uber and Lyft drivers.

Air Vent Phone Mounts

Air vent mounts clip onto to your air conditioning vents. Many drivers like these mounts because they have a very low profile compared to dash and window mounts.

For most air vent models, you attach a small adhesive magnet (included) to the back of your phone. The magnet on the air vent mount will then hold your phone in place.

However, if your phone is in a case, you often don’t need the adhesive, as the case will hold the magnet in place.

Also, some air vent mounts use a cradle instead of a magnet to hold the phone.

Recommended Air Vent Phone Mounts For Uber & Lyft

[su_box title=”TechMatte MagGrip Air Vent Magnetic Universal Car Mount Holder” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Elegant, cradle-less design. Compatible with almost all smartphones including the Iphone X and Samsung Galaxy S8. Strong neodymium magnets hold heavier phones in place.
Cons: Thick cases may interfere with the magnet. May not work with some round or vertical vents.
Note: For Qi-enabled phones, use the smaller circle plate as the square plate can interfere with wireless charging.
Dimensions: 1-3/4″ Width; 1-1/2″ Length
Warranty: 30-Day Money Back Guarantee; 12-Month Replacement Warranty
[/su_box]

[su_box title=”iOttie Easy One Touch Mini Air Vent Car Mount Holder Cradle” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Cradle rotates 360 degrees for optimal viewing. One click lock provides strong clamp to vent blade while minimizing device vibration. Fits all smartphones and cases from 2.3 to 3.5 inches wide. More compact than most cradle mounts.
Cons: May not work with some round or vertical vents.
Dimensions: 2.2 x 4.8 x 5.7 inches.
Warranty: 1 Year.[/su_box]

[su_box title=”TechMatte MagGrip 360 Multi Angle Magnetic Air Vent Mount” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Mount swivels, and rotates 360 degrees. Compatible with almost all smartphones including the Iphone X and Samsung Galaxy S8. Strong neodymium magnets hold heavier phones in place.
Cons: Thick cases may interfere with the magnet. May not work with some round or vertical vents.
Note: For Qi-enabled phones, use the smaller circle plate as the square plate can interfere with wireless charging.
Dimensions: 1.78″ diameter; 2.27″ length
Warranty: 30-Day Money Back Guarantee; 12-Month Replacement Warranty[/su_box]

[su_box title=”WizGear Universal Twist-lock Air vent Magnetic Car Mount Holder” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Twist lock is a unique design that prevents the mount form falling off the vents. Swivel and lock mount prevents unintended rotation.
Cons: Thick cases may interfere with the magnet. May not work with some round or vertical vents.
Note: Not recommended for Qi-enabled phones.
Dimensions: 4.2 x 3 x 2 inches[/su_box]

Dashboard Phone Mounts

Dashboard mounts usually have a suction cup, or adhesive silicone base, that attaches to your dashboard.

You may also be interested in:

The phone then rests in a cradle, or attaches to the mount via magnet.

Recommended Dashboard Phone Mounts For Uber & Lyft

[su_box title=”Scosche MAGDMB MagicMount Universal Mount” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Cradleless Design. Mount secures to dash with automotive-grade 3M adhesive. Mount swivels for convenient viewing.
Cons: Thick cases may interfere with the magnet. Not recommended for Qi-enabled phones. Mounting surface must be flat, and untextured.
Dimensions: 2.1 x 3 x 2.3 in
Warranty: 36 months[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Easy One Touch 4 Dashboard Mount” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Holds all phone and case combinations from 2.3 – 3.5 inches. Can also be mounted on the windshield. The telescopic arm extends from 4.9 – 8.3 inches and pivots on a 225° arc for a variety of optimal positions.
Cons: The One Touch 4 is larger and bulkier than most mounts.
Warranty: 1 year
Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 9 inches[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Volport Magnetic Dashboard Phone Mount” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Fully rotatable. Mount secures to dash with automotive-grade 3M adhesive. Mount swivels for convenient viewing.
Cons: Not recommended for use with a thick case. Must be mounted on a flat and smooth surface.
Note: For larger devices, use the larger metal plates.
Dimensions: 2.5 x 5 x 1.5 inches
Warranty: None[/su_box]

Windshield Phone Mounts

The last type of mount is the window phone mount. These mounts attach to your windshield using a suction cup. The iOttie 4 above is also recommended as windshield mount model.

Many drivers love these mounts because they place the phone right at eye level.

Recommended Windshield Phone Mounts For Uber & Lyft

[su_box title=”Marsee Windshield Phone Mount” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Holder can be mounted to window or dash. Gravity Self-locking – The weight of your phone automatically locks your phone in place when the phone is touching the bottom. Holds phones from 2 – 3.62 inches.
Cons: Suction cup requires periodic cleaning.
Warranty: 18 Months; 45 day return policy
Dimensions: 2.5 x 7.1 x 3.2 inches[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Exshow Car Windshield Phone Mount” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Extra long arm with flexible base. Cradle quick release. Holds phone 1.9 – 3.7 inches wide.
Cons: Some drivers say the cradle grip could be stronger.
Warranty: 1 Year.
Dimensions: 2.9 x 13.6 x 4.9 inches[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Scosche MAGWSM2 MagicMount Suction Cup Mount” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Suction-mounts onto car window, windshield or dash. Short-necked design for use with GPS devices. Cradle-free design.
Cons: Some drivers say the Scosche magnets are not as strong as the Techmatte magnets.
Warranty: 3 Years.
Dimensions: 4.7 x 8.5 x 1.7 inches[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Mpow Windshield Long Arm Phone Mount ” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]
Pros: Extra long arm with flexible base. One button release. Width adjustable to hold devices up to 6 inches. Extra dashboard suction cup offers additional support.
Cons: The suction cup needs periodic cleaning. Some drivers have complained the suction cup functions poorly in hot weather.
Warranty: 18 Months. 45 day money back guarantee.
Dimensions: 4.9 x 3.1 x 2.5 inches[/su_box]

 

lyft 2017

Uber vs. Lyft 2017: Lyft Rises, Uber Slumps

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Lyft ended 2016 stalled. Although the company narrowed its losses in 2016, it’s market share was stagnant at under 20%.

What a difference a year can make!

In 2017, Lyft successfully expanded to over a hundred new markets, more than doubled its ridership, and secured a huge investment and strategic partnership with Google.

[su_box title=”Lyft CEO Logan Greene Has Plenty To Smile About” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]

lyft 2017
Photo by jdlasica [/su_box]

On the other hand, Uber’s 2017 probably could not have gone worse.

Although Uber lost $3 Billion dollars in 2016, they still had over 80% of the U.S. rideshare market and a market value of $70 Billion.

Uber’s current market value is debatable, but it’s definitely lower than $70 Billion. Even worse, Uber’s market share has been shrinking all year.

Although Uber has trimmed losses, they’re still on track to lose around $2.5 Billion in 2017. Lyft will probably lose around $600 Million in 2017.

Here’s a quick rundown how 2017 went for both companies.

Lyft’s Banner 2017 Milestones

Lyft’s market share is on track for a 61% increase in 2017. This should give the company close to 30% of the U.S. market by the end of the year.

[su_box title=”Uber & Lyft Market Share” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]

lyft uber market share 2017

Source: Second Measure[/su_box]

 

Lyft is currently giving over 1 million rides per day, more than double its 2016 per day average.

Lyft recently secured a $1 Billion investment from CapitalG, Google parent company Alphabet’s growth equity fund.

Overall, 2017 was a massive success for Lyft.

In some of the larger markets, they now have 40% of the market. However, in a number of smaller and midsize markets, Lyft is still hovering around 20% market share.

Given that Lyft loses substantially less money than Uber, and has much lower overhead costs, it ends 2017 well positioned to make further gains in 2018.

Uber’s Disastrous 2017

2017 was the year Uber’s repeated bad behavior and abhorrent corporate culture bit the company in the ass. Here’s a quick rundown of Uber’s no good, very bad year.

January

Taxi drivers at JFK airport went on strike to protest Trump’s Muslim ban. Uber decided to halt surge pricing at the airport during the strike, a move many viewed as support for the ban.

In response, people began deleting Uber from their phone and posting about it using the hashtag #deleteuber. It’s estimated more than 200,000 people deleted the app.

February

Former Uber Engineer Susan Fowler published a damning essay detailing the rampant sexism and sexual harassment that was commonplace at the company.

Alphabet (Google’s parent company) sues Uber for stealing self-driving car documents. A Google engineer, Anthony Levandowski, downloaded 14,000 documents before leaving the company. Levandowski then founded a self-driving truck startup, Otto, later acquired by Uber.

Top Uber executives Amit Singhal and Raffi Krikorian leave the company.

This video surfaces of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick berating a driver.

March

Uber President Jeff Jones, along with top execs Brian McClendon and Ed Baker, resign. At this point, Uber has no President and no COO.

Uber publishes its first diversity report. The numbers show a company that is anything but diverse. In fairness, the numbers aren’t any better or worse than the average tech company.

Uber hires Eric Holder, and the Perkins Cole law firm to investigate sexual harassment claims at the company.

April

That former Google engineer, Levandowski, pleads the fifth in the Alphabet lawsuit. He then steps away from his role as head of Uber’s autonomous vehicle program.

May

Uber is unsuccessful in its bid to send the Alphabet lawsuit to arbitration. I guess if you’re a multi-billion dollar company, you can get out of arbitration with Uber.

The Justice Department announces it’s investigating Uber for using a piece of software called “greyball” to avoid local and state regulators.

Another high ranking Uber exec, Gautam Gupta, leaves. Uber now has no President, COO, or CFO.

At the end of the month, Uber fires Levandowski.

June

Uber fires 20 employees as part of Perkins Cole’s ongoing investigation into sexual harassment at the company.

Uber fires Eric Alexander, its top exec in Asia. He had obtained the confidential medical records of a woman who was raped during an Uber ride in India. He then proceeded to show those records, to SVP Emil Michael, and Kalanick. Other executives at Uber also saw the confidential medical records.

Uber accepts all the recommendations of the Holder Report compiled by Perkins Cole. Uber releases the recommendations, but not the report itself. The report recommends firing Emil Michael.

SVP Emil Michael resigns.

CEO Travis Kalanick takes a leave of absence from the Uber.

David Bonderman, an Uber board member and all around idiot, resigns. Believe it or not, at a board meeting to discuss rampant sexism at the company, this schmuck made a sexist joke. Smdh.

The FTC launches an investigation of Uber’s privacy practices.

On June 20, Uber launches 180 days of change, a program to improve its standing with drivers.

Also on June 20, CEO Travis Kalanick resigns.

[su_box title=”Buh Bye” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]kalanick photo
Photo by TechCrunch
[/su_box]

July

Benchmark Capital, a major Uber investor, sues Travis Kalanick in a bid to have him removed from the board.

August

As it turns out, Uber knowingly leased recalled vehicles to drivers in Singaport.

Uber hires a new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, who was the CEO at Expedia.

Uber announces that they will no longer track riders after their ride ends.

The Justice Department announces a preliminary probe into allegations that Uber may have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, by bribing people in some of their foreign markets.

September

The Regulator Transport for London (TfL) strips Uber of its operating license.

[su_box title=”Statement from the Regulator Transport for London” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]“Uber’s approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications,”[/su_box]

Ouch!

Uber pulls out of Quebec after the province passes tougher rideshare regulations.

Alphabet says it wants $2.6 Billion from Uber for stealing its stuff.

October

Reports surface of a pending deal in which Softbank will invest up to $10 Billion in Uber. The deal would value Uber at $50 Billion, or $20 Billion less than Uber was worth at the start of the year.

Uber’s board changes its governance rules, severely limiting former CEO Kalanick’s power.

Uber appeals the London decision that stripped it of its operating license.

Good Universe buys the rights to ex-Uber engineer Susan Fowler’s story.

Data shows Uber is losing ground among business travelers.

November

Softbank finalizes a deal to buy at least 14% of Uber.

Uber loses its appeal of a case in the UK that ruled it’s drivers were workers, not independent contractors. As such, they are entitled to overtime and benefits like vacation pay.

Final Take: What Uber & Lyft need to do in 2018

Uber & Lyft are both looking to IPO  in the next couple of years. Here’s what both companies should do next year to prepare for their IPO.

Uber

Uber needs to stop hemorrhaging money. They lost $3 Billion last year, and will probably lose around $2.5 Billion this year.

To get closer to profitability and go public, Uber is probably going to have to lay off some employees in some markets. Unlike Lyft, Uber overhired as it was building up its operations. In 2016, they doubled their number of employees. As a result, they have a massive employee headcount.

They also have massive overhead because they opened offices in too many cities. To rectify this, Uber needs to close some offices and centralize operations regionally.

Besides cutting costs, Uber needs to continue to repair its brand, and its relationship with drivers. While the new CEO is off to a good start, he’s got his work cut out for him.

Lyft

While Lyft had a great 2017, they still have a lot of work to do.

Lyft’s main goal for next year should include strengthening its operations in suburbs, and mid-size markets. Uber is still dominant in both of those areas. Lyft drivers main complaint in too many markets is that it’s just not as busy as Uber.

Lyft should also concentrate on improving the driver app. Uber’s driver app is still superior.

Moreover, many of the improvements Lyft made to the app in 2017 were simply reactions to improvements Uber made. To win 2018, Lyft must make proactive and independent improvements to the app. In other words, stop following what Uber does.

Additionally, Lyft should modify its bonus structure to attract more part time drivers. Currently, its Power Driver Bonus mainly appeals to full time drivers. Part-time drivers simply cannot meet the ride requirements for the bonus.

Finally, both companies should also raise driver pay, but that’s not likely to happen.

What changes do you think Lyft and Uber should make in 2018? Let us know in the comments.

how much do uber drivers make in 2017?

How Much Do Uber & Lyft Drivers Make?

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Nationally, Uber drivers earn an average of about $15.50 per hour.

Lyft drivers earn an average of about $17.50 per hour. Lyft drivers also reported much higher satisfaction levels than Uber drivers.

how much do uber drivers make in 2017?

However, these earnings are before expenses like gas and depreciation. Driver expenses vary greatly based on vehicle and driving style.

Although the average earnings are in the mid to high teens, some drivers earn as much as $25 per hour. On the other hand, some drivers earn under $15 per hour.

This variability in Uber or Lyft driver pay is due to a number of factors.

Factors affecting Uber and Lyft driver pay

Many things affect Uber and Lyft driver pay. These factors include vehicle make and year, city size, and whether the driver is full or part-time.

Market Size

Where you drive Uber or Lyft can affect how much you can make. In some small and medium size markets, $15 to $17 per hour may be the most you can earn driving full time.

[su_box title=”Today, the per trip totals are about 20% lower than this chart shows.” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#d1274f”]

uber lyft earnings per trip
Source: Sherpashare

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However, Uber & Lyft drivers in most of the larger markets can make $20 per hour or more.

These $20 per hour markets include:

  • New York City
  • Los Angeles
  • Chicago
  • Boston
  • San Francisco
  • Philadelphia
  • Atlanta
  • San Diego
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Seattle

This is not an exhaustive list.

A good rule of thumb is that if you live in a metropolitan area with more than 3,000,000 people (18 of those areas in the U.S.), you are more likely to be able to earn $20 per hour or more.

However, there are some exceptions.

For example, driver earnings in Houston & Dallas tend to be a little lower than the other large Uber & Lyft markets. In those cities, your likely earnings will be in the $15-$20 per hour range.

[su_box title=”Pro Tip – Click The Map Below To See Where And When It’s Busy In Your City” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#000000″]

Sherpashare heatmap
Source: Sherpashare

[/su_box]

Vehicle Type

Which car you drive, and how old it is, can also affect your earnings.

For example, Lyft offers the weekly Power Driver Bonus, which gives a bonus to drivers who complete a certain number of rides. However, in order to qualify, your vehicle has to be a 2010, or 2011 model or newer.

Additionally, both Lyft and Uber offer multiple service levels. UberX and UberPool (shared rides) are the most popular Uber services. Lyft and Lyft Line (shared rides) are the most popular Lyft services.

However, Uber drivers can also sign up for UberSelect, UberXL, UberLUX, UberSUV or UberBlack.

Uber service levels and example vehicle

  • UberSelect – Higher end vehicles – Audi A4
  • UberXL – Holds 6 or more passengers – Ford Explorer
  • UberLUX – Luxury vehicles – Mercedes S-Class
  • UberSUV – High end suv (black exterior) – Cadillac Escalade
  • UberBlack – High end vehicles (black exterior) – Mercedes E-Class

If addition to Lyft, Lyft drivers can also sign up for Lyft Plus, Lyft Premier, Lyft Lux, or Lyft SUVLux.

Lyft service levels and example vehicle

  • Lyft Plus – Holds 6 or more passengers – Toyota Highlander
  • Lyft Premier – Higher end vehicles – Mercedes C-Class
  • Lyft Lux – Luxury vehicles – Tesla Model 3
  • Lyft SUV Lux – High end suv – Lincoln Navigator

Drivers on these platforms can earn more than drivers who just drive UberX or Lyft.

 

[su_box title=”Lyft Vehicle Lists” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#000000″]Lyft Premier Vehicles

Lyft Lux Vehicles[/su_box]

Not all of these platforms are available in every market. Also, some of the platforms require a commercial license and a newer vehicle (2011, 2012 or later).

Driver Age

A number of studies have found that younger drivers tend to earn a little more per hour.

[su_box title=”Younger drivers may need fewer breaks, and may also be more willing or able to drive the busiest hours.” style=”soft” box_color=”#d1a927″ title_color=”#000000″]

uber lyft earnings by age group
Source: The Rideshare Guy

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Full-Time vs. Part-Time Uber and Lyft Driver Pay

Another factor that affects your Uber and Lyft hourly pay is how much you drive. Overall, full time drivers tend to earn more per hour. There are a few reasons for this.

  • Full-time drivers tend to know their way around a little better. The know shortcuts and are usually better at routing than part-timers.
  • Lyft and Uber offer weekly bonuses to drivers if they complete a certain number of rides. In some markets, full-time drivers who complete these bonuses can earn an extra $200 – $400 per week. This can help push their earnings to over $25 per hour.
  • Full-timers drive longer shifts and usually have less dead miles (miles driven with no passenger in the vehicle).

Part-time drivers also tend to drive shorter shifts, which can often result in more dead miles on the way home.

For example, a part-time driver may decide to drive for three hours. After a couple of hours, the driver may have earned $50, or $25/hr. However, the driver is due at home in one hour. If they head straight home, their hourly earnings will only be about $17/hr.

Luckily, the driver can use the destination setting (rides only going towards a particular direction) to earn money on their way home. Both apps have this feature.

However, only the Uber driver app currently lets you set a desired arrival time. Hopefully, the Lyft driver app will add that feature at some point.

Overall, part time drivers that earn the most drive as many of the most profitable hours as possible. In some markets, those part timers can push their earnings to the $25 per hour range.

Conclusions

As you can see, there are a lot of variables that affect how much you can earn as an Uber or Lyft driver.

Understanding these factors can help you figure out what your true Uber or Lyft earning potential is.

 

drive for uber chicago

How To Drive Lyft Or Uber In Chicago

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The Chicago Lyft and Uber Drivers Guide

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Chicago is the third largest rideshare market in the United States. Uber arrived all the way back in 2011, while Lyft launched in Chicago in 2013.

Both companies now have mature, and very busy operations in the Chicagoland area. Even better, the Chicago Lyft sign up bonus is currently $500!

If you’re driving, or thinking of signing up to drive for Uber or Lyft in Chicago, we’ve compiled some tips on where and when to drive, and which company you should sign up for first.

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Where are the best areas to Drive With Lyft or Uber in Chicago?

If you’re driving Uber or Lyft in the windy city, the busiest areas overall are:

  • The Loop – Going down Franklin usually puts you in a good position to get a request
  • Gold Coast – Mix of hotels and residential buildings
  • Streeterville – More hotels & Northwestern Hospital
  • Hyde Park – University of Chicago
  • Wicker Park – Milwaukee Avenue
  • Pilsen – Lagunitas

Other busy areas Beverly, Lakeview, Evanston (Northwestern), Morgan Park, Lincoln Park (DePaul) and Bridgeport.

Keep in mind, not all of these areas are busy all the time. Mostly residential areas like lakeview and Lincoln Park are busiest on morning weekdays, and weekend evenings. But those same areas aren’t as busy on weekday evenings.

Except for Evanston, none of these locations are in the suburbs. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t make money if you’re in Oak Park or Glenview. But the population density is higher in the city, so you have a higher overall chance of getting a ride quickly.

If you’re in the middle of the loop on a Tuesday afternoon, there’s over half a million people within a mile of you. That’s not going to happen in Des Plaines.

When are the best times to drive Lyft or Uber in Chicago?

The best times to drive rideshare in Chicago are:

  • Weekday mornings between 6am and 9am
  • Weekday evenings between 5pm and 8pm –
  • Weekend evenings (Fri. & Sat.) between 6pm and 8pm, and between 10pm and 5am
  • Weekend mornings and afternoons between 10am and 2pm (Lakeview, Logan Square, Bridgeport, Hyde Park, River North, and Wicker Park are prime spots during these times.)

A good early bird strategy is to be in the Gold Coast or the Loop by 5am on weekdays. If you catch an airport run, you can get back to Roscoe Village by 6am, in time for the morning rush. Most weeks, there are more airport runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

On weekday nights, the loop can stay somewhat busy until 10 or 11:00pm. In the offices on Wacker, a lot of people stay pretty late. On a good night, you can get a low traffic ride out to Deerfield or Wilmette.

Of course, weekends are also a great time to drive Lyft or Uber in Chicago. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s generally steady or busy from 6pm to 5am. If you’re going to do nights, learn where the 4am bars are.

Chicago is also a big brunch town, so Saturday and Sunday mornings are particularly busy. You can also expect a nice rush after brunch, especially by the restaurants on Randolph just outside the loop.

Lyft vs. Uber in Chicago

Uber was pretty dominant in Chicago until the end of last year. However, Lyft has been growing much faster than Uber in 2017. At this point, in Chicago, you can make just as much money, or more, driving for Lyft as you can driving with Uber. In fact, nationally, Lyft drivers earn a couple bucks more per hour than Uber drivers.

Now, Uber is still busier overall in the Chicagoland area, but that’s mostly because of the suburbs. If you take a passenger out to Palatine, you will probably wait a few minutes longer to get a request there on the Lyft platform. Even in the suburbs though, Lyft is closing the gap. A year ago, Lyft was pretty dead outside the city. That is no longer the case.

Lyft and Uber driver pay in Chicago

During some peak hours, you can make $30/hr, sometimes more. However, it’s more reasonable to expect to make $15-$20 per hour when driving for Lyft or Uber in Chicago. As you learn your way around the city, you’ll become more efficient and should be able to earn $20 per hour or more. Also, if you’re going to drive part time, the best strategy is to drive during the busy hours, if possible.

Here’s how much a couple of full time drivers made in Chicago recently. Keep in mind that both drivers had to work a lot of hours to make this much. However, you can make this much on both Lyft and Uber in Chicago, if you’re willing to put in some long hours.

chicago uber and lyft driver pay

Other Chicago Uber & Lyft Tips

The city of Chicago limits the amount you can drive each day to 10 hours, across all platforms. It may be raised to 12 soon. Larrabee, Leavitt & Hoyne are great streets to get across different parts of the North side. All three can save you a lot of time.

Learn Lower Wacker Drive, but don’t use it all the time. Lower wacker is a great shortcut to get across the loop quickly. You should use it if you need to get to the Eisenhower from Streeterville, for example. It’s also great for getting into the loop from Lake Shore Drive. However, be wary of getting off Lake Shore and taking it during the morning rush. The Randolph exit tends to jam up, which often makes Upper Wacker a better choice during that time.

If you’re starting off from the burbs in the morning, try using the destination feature on Lyft or Uber to get you a rider going to the near north side. If, on the other hand, you’re starting from the South Side in the morning, headed North, a veteran driver I know sets his destination for O’Hare.

Do Not Ignore Or Avoid The South Side

A lot of rideshare drivers avoid the South Side (and the West Side) entirely. This article isn’t about why drivers do this, but I’ll just say it’s a really stupid strategy, often rooted in racism.

There are 750,000 people on the South Side. The area, because of Chicago’s history of segregation, is underserved by public transportation. As a result, many of those 750,000 have started using Lyft & Uber, pushing demand for both sky high. Moreover, many people who live on the South Side work on the North Side or in the burbs. Those are long, easy rides that pay well. Finally, because a lot of drivers avoid the area, it’s a great place to go when it’s slow. You will usually get a ride quickly.

Now, there are a few parts of the South and West sides that are legitimately crappy areas. But those areas make up about 2-3% of the total area, and unless it’s night, you’ll be fine even in those areas.

Uber & Lyft Airport Dropoffs & Pickups

Chicago has two major airports, O’hare and Midway. When dropping off at either, you may receive another pick up request for a passenger at the airport. If you do, that’s great. If you don’t, you can go to the rideshare lot to wait for a passenger request from the airport.

However, if the lot is busy, you can sit there for over an hour. In many cases, if you don’t get a request while dropping off, you will be better off getting back on the road. Many veteran drivers avoid going to the airport lot, unless there’s heavy traffic going back to the city.

Chicago O'hare Airport

Is It Better To Sign Up For Lyft Or Uber First In Chicago?

Since you can make good money on either platform, it’s really up to you. Overall, drivers prefer driving for Lyft. However, Uber is still busier in parts of the Chicagoland area. This doesn’t mean you’ll make more money on Uber. But you may have less downtime in certain areas, which will make you feel busier.

Lyft still has a driver sign up bonus, Uber does not.

The only big advantage for signing up for Lyft before Uber, is that Lyft still offers a signup bonus. Uber only offers a guarantee, which works like this. If you sign up for Uber and drive 60 rides, they’ll guarantee you make $700 (gross) from those rides. If you don’t, Uber makes up the difference. The amount and number of rides are just examples. Your guarantee may be different..

Lyft is still offering sign up bonuses in Chicago. They’re usually a few hundred bucks and they are paid out per ride, as soon as you start driving. For example, Lyft may offer you a sign up bonus of $300 for giving 100 rides in your first thirty days. The bonus is paid out $3 per ride as you complete the rides. Usually, the higher the bonus amount, the less you will receive per ride.

If you’re thinking of driving part-time, you may make more money with a lower overall Lyft sign up bonus, that pays more per ride. The reason is that you may not be able to complete all the rides necessary to receive all of the larger bonuses. Lyft may offer a $900 bonus, but it will usually be $1.50 per ride for up to 600 rides, in your first 60 days. Part-time drivers usually won’t be able to do that many rides in that time. They may be better off with a $200 ($4 extra for 50 rides) or $300 ($3 extra for 100 rides) bonus.

If You Think Rideshare May Be For You, Sign up for Lyft in Chitown today.

Driving for Uber or Lyft can be a great way to make some extra money to pay for a vacation or those extra holiday expenses. Or, if you’re looking for a change from sitting in front of a desk or behind a counter, you can reliably make well over $1,000 a week driving full-time in Chicago. If you drive 60-70 hours a week, $1,500 to $2,000 is possible, once weekly bonuses are factored in.

Now, driving rideshare is work, but many find it to be interesting and fun work, most of the time. You’ll definitely meet some interesting people, and of course, some characters. You’ll also discover new things about where you live, and you’ll see parts of Chicago, and the suburbs, that you normally wouldn’t. If driving rideshare sounds like it might interest you, sign up for Lyft or Uber today and find out!

Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?

Sign up to drive with Lyft today and get a sign up bonus.

With Lyft, you can sign up to drive even if you don’t have a car!

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

 

Photo by ernohannink

Uber & Lyft in Los Angeles

The Week In Rideshare – November 11, 2017

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The Weekly Rideshare News Roundup – November 11, 2017

Here’s a quick roundup of the news from the rideshare world this week.

Lyft poached Uber’s pricing expert, Garrett van Ryzin, to head up their new Marketplace Labs. He will be looking at ways to intertwine Lyft services with public transit, and will also look to improve Lyft’s efficiency when matching riders with drivers.

In the UK, Uber lost its appeal against a ruling that its drivers are workers, not contractors. As such, they are entitled to basic rights like a minimum wage and holiday pay. However, Uber has two more appeals left in the case. It should reach the UK Supreme Court sometime next year.

Uber & Lyft in Los Angeles

 

New Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the U.S. wasn’t a profitable market for Uber due to stiff competition from Lyft.

Khosrowshahi also released a list of new Uber company norms. They calling them norms instead of values. From Khosrowshahi’s post:

We’re also calling these cultural norms, rather than values, because we fully expect them to evolve as Uber continues to grow.

Ok. Whatever. Anyways, here’s the list.

  • We build globally, we live locally.
  • We are customer obsessed.
  • We celebrate differences.
  • We do the right thing.
  • We act like owners.
  • We persevere.
  • We value ideas over hierarchy.
  • We make big bold bets.

Some drivers might lament that they aren’t mentioned on the list. However, they would be wrong. According to Uber, drivers are now the customers. Uber contends that they simply facilitate the transaction between its customers (the drivers) and passengers. So, passengers, according to Uber, are not customers. While this may seem strange, the reason Uber is doing this has to do with the our last, and most important piece of news in the roundup.

Uber’s Shady New Revenue Model

In preparation for going public, Uber has adopted new revenue recognition rules that treat drivers as the company’s customers. The reason they are adopting this model is simple. If they use this model, when they go public, they will not have to report anything about driver earnings, at all. From the marketwatch article:

The ride-hailing service contends its customers are the drivers — not the passengers — and it merely facilitates their trips. Securing the SEC’s blessing of this view of its business model would allow the company to report financial results without disclosing how much money drivers are taking home.

In addition to being super shady, accounting experts say this is a dumb idea, and would actually hide pertinent information from stockholders. Makes sense. If you owned Uber stock, or any stock, you would probably want to know how much they’re paying their workers. From the article:

Uber Technologies Inc.’s plan for its financial reporting has drawn criticism from accounting experts, who say it may even contradict the company’s own auditor’s published advice to clients.

Unfortunately, Uber’s auditor, Price Waterhouse, and the SEC, have signed off on the new rules, so they’ll likely be in effect when Uber goes public.

If you’re a driver, what do you think of Uber’s new revenue rules? Leave a comment below and let everyone know.