How Some Uber And Lyft Drivers Are Driving Different With Rising Gas Prices: Rideshare Drivers React

[Editor’s note: Quotes are lightly edited for clarity]

How Some Uber And Lyft Drivers Are Driving Different With Rising Gas Prices

Gas prices are increasing not just overnight, but sometimes within a few hours. How are drivers, who pay for their own gas and are not reimbursed by rideshare or most delivery companies, handling this major cost burden?

Here’s what readers are saying:

While a few drivers mention they’ve stopped driving entirely, many are simply switching up their driving strategies to take shorter trips and only accepting trips that offer additional promotions, like surge:

“I have Costco membership courtesy of Uber; I’ve been watching the miles I’m putting on the car; declining long pickups; declining long hauls over 30mi; exploiting surge pricing at the airport.”

Chime in on the discussion here.

My Experience with Uber Upfront Fares

Upfront pricing for drivers has launched in several cities, but what are drivers saying about this pilot program from Uber? Is Uber correct when they said driver earnings would go up, especially for short rides? RSG contributor Joe Pierce tried out Uber’s new features and shared his thoughts about earnings and more.?

Here’s what readers are saying:

Being able to see where passengers are going and earnings upfront is a major step for Uber, something that drivers have wanted almost as much as they want better pay and higher earnings. For many drivers, this is a step forward in the right direction where drivers truly consider themselves independent contractors (ICs).?

“Upfront information in our business, like any other business, is crucial at any points of the day and location, it takes the element of the uncertainty of the way, give us the ability to make better decisions be more productive thus more profitable, proper risk management is a vital part to thrive in our business.”

Chime in on the discussion here.

DoorDash Cash On Delivery | What DoorDash Drivers Need To Know!

DoorDash released a new feature for drivers and customers: cash on delivery. While this was long common in an era before paying by phone (cell or otherwise), many drivers aren’t used to receiving cash and are understandably worried about how this could backfire on them.?

Here’s what readers are saying:

While some drivers understand why this is an option for customers, the vast majority of delivery drivers cite safety as being the number one reason they don’t want to accept cash deliveries:

“I do not do cash on delivery. It is in my market but I opted out. However, the customer knows you don't carry change. If they give you 100 and the pizza is 50 you keep the extra 50. My understanding is that's one of the advantages of cash on delivery. But for safety reasons I would never, ever do it, regardless of the market.”

Chime in on the discussion here.