UBER WORTH: Is Driving for Uber Worth It?

Uber Technologies, the largest ride-sharing company in the world, was established in 2009 and has quickly become the most valuable startup in the world. Uber began offering rides in San Francisco in June 2010, and four months later, it closed on a $1.25 million seed funding round. Gig workers might start to question whether or not Uber driving is worth it to them as the industry’s hidden costs continue to rise. Working for Uber is a good way to supplement your income. It’s one of the best weekend-only part-time jobs out there. Is it worth it to drive for Uber? How can you get Uber customer service when you get stuck on the road? You’ll find out in this article.

What Is Uber?

Uber is an independent taxi service that hires drivers who use their own cars while using the Uber app on their mobile phones. Passengers request rides through the app by entering their pick-up and drop-off locations, and all payments are made through a pre-authorized credit card in the app. Hence, without you having to say a word or pull out your wallet, the Uber app calculates the distance and fare for the driver, as well as transfers payment to the driver from your chosen payment method. Uber is available in over 65 countries and 350 major cities and urban areas worldwide and is estimated to be worth more than $50 billion US.

Why Is It Called Uber?

Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp came up with the idea for UberCab after experiencing the frequent urban frustration of not being able to hail a taxi during a storm. The name Uber is inspired from a German term that means “above everything else,” a fundamental principle that Kalanick and Camp desired for their startup.

Who Owns Uber?

All of these subsidiaries are owned by Uber Technologies, Inc., which has its headquarters in San Francisco, California. Through a stock purchase scheme, employees own the business. Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp are co-founders and current board members of Uber.

How to Use Uber

#1. Get the Uber App and Create a Free Uber Account

Sign up for an Uber account after downloading the Uber app for your mobile devices, such as your smartphone or tablet computer. It’s quick, simple, and completely free!

#2. You Get to Choose the Type of Uber Car You Want, as well as the Pick-up and Drop-off Locations.

No need to hail a taxi or meet one in a congested urban area; you choose both the pick-up and destination points yourself. For added convenience, customers have the option of picking their own vehicles, whether it’s an economical low-end sedan, an SUV or van for group rides, or a high-end sedan for a more lavish ride.

#3. Keep Track of Your Uber Driver So You Know Who Is Picking You up and When.

Be aware of when and who will be picking you up. Uber allows you to track your driver’s location and estimated arrival time, as well as view your driver’s name, profile picture, license plate number, and car type. When your car arrives, Uber will notify you!

#4. Use Uberpool to Share a Ride With Another Uber User and Save Money on Your Fare.

Uber cars are typically faster and more dependable than traditional taxis. However, if saving money is more important to you than saving time, you can try UberPool. Take an Uber ride with another Uber user who is traveling in the same direction as you. You can save up to half on your fare if you wait for them to be dropped off before you.

#5. Use Uber Promotions by Referring Your Friends to Uber.

Uber also has a plethora of promotional offers that you can take advantage of to reduce the cost of using it. Some of them apply when you sign up for Uber, while others apply when you request a ride from Uber. A few of your Uber trips may even end up being complimentary!

#6. Become a Member of Uber’s Fleet—Be Your Own Boss and Earn Money by Driving in Your Spare Time.

If you enjoy driving and have free time, why not become an Uber driver-partner and earn money? You can work as an Uber driver whenever it’s convenient for you, as long as you meet some loose quotas for ride acceptance rates. You also get to keep a whopping 80% of every fare you collect!

Is Driving Uber Worth It?

Generally speaking, driving for Uber is worth it and remains a profitable side hustle for many people. You won’t get rich driving people around in your spare time, but it’s a flexible way to supplement your income. The following are four things you should know before driving for Uber.

#1. What It’s Like to Be an Uber Driver

Uber connects drivers with passengers in need of rides, and passengers can order and pay for rides via the Uber app. Uber’s driver-partners are paid based on the length of each ride, which includes both time and distance. What many drivers like about Uber is that you can set your own schedule. You can drive whenever and for however long you want. That is, you can drive whenever you have an extra hour or six hours.

#2. How Much Do Uber Drivers Make?

It’s impossible to know how much drivers make, and driver reviews on pay vary greatly. Some say drivers make $8-$10 per hour, while others say it’s closer to $11-$15. Because Uber driver pay varies so much depending on demand, location, season, and what’s going on in the world. Uber drivers do not receive a set hourly wage. When you complete a certain number of trips, Uber will offer you a driver promotion. For example, completing 20 trips in a week could earn you an extra $30. There are also advantages to driving during peak hours.

#3. Driver Expenses

There are some costs you’ll need to factor into your earnings to understand what you’ll be earning and whether or not driving for Uber is worth the effort. Services like DoorDash and Instacart that provide on-demand food delivery will all incur these costs. The real kicker is that your expenses can be taken at tax time, so Uber drivers should keep records of their spending.

Everlance is an excellent tool for automatically tracking your mileage and expenses. It keeps track of everything for you, and at tax time, you can run a report to ensure you’re making the most accurate deductions.

#4. Is It Safe to Drive for Uber?

Unfortunately, serious attacks on Uber drivers have occurred in the past, but this is a reality for many types of workers. Uber is committed to driver safety and provides features such as:

• 2-way ratings allow you to screen passengers before accepting a fare.
• Phone anonymization ensures that no one ever knows your phone number.
• Emergency help button

For this reason, robbery isn’t a big issue for Uber drivers. If pepper spray and stun guns are legal in your state, Uber drivers are permitted to carry them.

From a safety perspective, is driving for Uber worth it? It is entirely up to you. Uber has safety features and encourages drivers to use dashcams to protect themselves. Driving for Uber is really worth it and isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re concerned about your own safety.

How to Start Driving for Uber

If you’ve decided Uber is for you, here’s how to start:

#1. Ensure That You Fulfill All of the Uber Driver Requirements.

Uber drivers’ requirements are as follows:

• Meet your city’s minimum driving age. You must have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the United States (3 years if you are under 25).
• Have a valid driver’s license in the United States.
• Use an eligible four-door vehicle. Uber’s website has a tool to determine if your vehicle is eligible, but the general rule is that it must be 15 years old or newer (10 years old or newer in some cities)

#2. Apply to Be an Uber Driver.

You can sign up for Uber, and it only takes a few minutes. Uber will question you about yourself and your vehicle.

#3. Distribute Required Documents

To process your application, Uber requires the following documentation, including proof of city, state, or province residency. If you intend to drive your own car, you must provide proof of insurance. You will also need to get your driver’s photograph profile.

#4. Agree to a Driver’s Background Check

All Uber drivers must pass a driver screening, which includes a background check and a criminal background check.  That’s all! Uber will review your documents and contact you via email once the screening process is complete. It can take up to two weeks, particularly during peak seasons.

Is Uber Now Making a Profit?

Yes, revenue increased by 72% to $8.34 billion, and adjusted profit increased by $516 million, both above expectations. However, Uber’s equity investments resulted in a $1.2 billion quarterly deficit.

Why Is Uber Different Than a Taxi?

One significant distinction between Uber and taxis is that Uber does not charge clients based on moving or stop-and-go traffic, but taxis do. However, Uber does charge surge fees (during times of day or night when there is more traffic or automobiles on the road), particularly during rush hours.

Customer Service for Uber Drivers and Passengers.

Do you want to know the best ways to contact Uber customer service? Without further ado, here are the top ways to contact Uber customer service in 2022, as well as additional methods for resolving your problem.

Tips for Reaching Out to the Uber Customer Service Team.

#1 Use the App

If you are having problems with your account, a fare, or have questions that cannot be answered on Uber’s support website, the best way to get help is through Uber’s in-app support. You can also use the app to report problems with a particular trip. 

To contact Uber, go all the way through the help menu, and if the information they provide isn’t helpful, you can reach out via message or schedule an in-person meeting. If the information on the “My iPhone says ‘Network Error’” page is insufficient, return to the previous screen and scroll down to the bottom to learn how to contact Uber support.

#2: Get in Touch With Uber Support at help.uber.com.

Uber also has a comprehensive help section online at help.uber.com. Whether you’re a rider, driver, eater (UberEATS customer), or restaurant owner, you’ll find a wealth of useful information here (UberEATS partner).

It has a lot of the same functionality as the driver’s app, so you’re not missing out on anything if you prefer the app. To find specific answers to driver-related questions, scroll down and click “For Partners.”

You can get answers to questions about using the app, your account, and common phone or app issues from there.

#3. Go to Uber Support During Local Office Hours.

Uber customer service provides in-person support at Greenlight centers across the country. However, for more complex issues, the Greenlight centers are the only ones who can assist you. If the Greenlight Hub information does not appear right away, click the Contact Uber button. 

#4: Use Social Media to Contact Uber.

Uber responds fairly well on Facebook and Twitter. To contact Uber on Twitter, send a tweet to @Uber support with your question or concern. Keep it brief (as Twitter requires) and don’t bombard them with messages. You can expect a “reply” or a “direct message” from Uber within business hours (DM).

Another way to contact Uber is through Facebook. Like on Twitter, your comments can be made public, which encourages businesses to respond quickly and completely. Also, if you’re feeling shy, Uber now endorses Facebook Messenger. You’re guaranteed to get a response. Remember that the more specific and precise you can be when asking a question or expressing concern, the more likely it is that you will receive a response from a real person.

#5: Call the Uber Hotline

Dail (800) 285-6172 for Critical Safety Response

This Uber customer service number should only be used in an emergency. Ascertain that all parties are safe, and call 911 first if you require immediate police or medical assistance. This Uber driver number should only be used if you are in an accident while driving or if you are experiencing a serious safety or security issue.

#6: Call the Uber Helpline

To reach Uber at any time, dial (800) 593-7069. This is the official helpline and while there is usually a 1-2 minute wait to speak with a representative, the assistance you receive here can be hit or miss. You can also contact Uber’s phone support from the driver app’s help menu

Uber Worth FAQs

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Dara Khosrowshahi is the CEO of Uber, where he oversees the company’s fast-growing operations in 63 countries and leads a global team of over 22,000 employees.

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