Harry here. I feel like I’ve been saying the same thing every week: it’s been a busy week for Uber. This past week was no different, with one of the most surprising updates being Uber firing 20 employees. Can this continue, or does Travis need to go? Senior RSG contributor John Ince updates us on the latest in the rideshare industry below.
Harry here. Every year, RSG conducts a survey on rideshare drivers: how often they drive, which platforms they’re on, earnings, etc. While identifying information is anonymous, researchers have reached out to me for this data to extrapolate for their own research. Today, we have a post from Michael Maffie from Cornell University that summarizes the findings of that 2017 survey and what this means for rideshare driving.
Also, Cornell University is running a new survey open to current or former drives – see below on how to register and what you can win.
We are only halfway through 2017 and it has already been big year for rideshare: Lyft and Google have teamed up to work on self-driving cars, Uber came under fire for their “Hell” and “Greyball” programs, Eric Holder presented his report to Uber’s board, and Lyft continued its expansion into more markets.
While headlines give us a glimpse inside these companies’ worlds, most of us outsiders have very little data to understand the wider rideshare market. Harry’s 2017 driver survey, however, allows us to glean some additional information about how rideshare markets are developing and who is working in the industry.
For readers who did not see the article when it came out, Harry gathered some of the best data on rideshare drivers to date. His survey recorded over 1,500 respondents from all over the United States and gives us a look into the lives of drivers (you can see the original result here). Using Harry’s original dataset it is possible to explore some intriguing relationships in the rideshare world, such as: How many drivers only use one app? Are men more likely to work full-time than women? Who is more likely to work for Uber – men or women? Are younger drivers more likely to log long hours compared to older drivers?
Before getting into the data, I want to let everyone know that Cornell University is running a new survey that is open to all current or former drivers – click here to register. You can win up to $300 in Amazon Gift Cards (we are raffling off $2,500 in gift cards (see the bottom of this article for information about the raffle). The survey is designed so you can take it on a smartphone while waiting for a passenger.
Now, let’s explore Harry’s original dataset.
Harry here. Allstate rideshare insurance is offered in many states and is a popular option for drivers looking for cheap, all-around rideshare coverage. As we covered State Farm rideshare insurance here, and USAA rideshare insurance here, we also wanted to see what Allstate offers. Today, senior RSG contributor Jon Knope covers Allstate rideshare insurance, where you can get it, and what it may cost.
If you’re looking for more rideshare insurance options, check out our Insurance Marketplace here for more options in your state.
Allstate’s rideshare insurance offering – known as Allstate Ride for Hire – is available in a growing number of states, and it’s a popular choice for drivers looking for a cheap way to obtain good coverage while working for Uber and Lyft.
Harry here. There’s no doubt that driving for Uber and Lyft is a good job for some, but a lot of drivers do end up quitting – there’s no getting around that. Today, senior RSG contributor John Ince takes a look at why so many drivers quit and what are the different stages that can lead to separation.
Well over a year ago, driver churn data from Uber leaked out, which indicated that within a year, over half of all drivers have become inactive or quit. I suspect that number is much higher now, with price cuts over the last few years and other well-documented sources of driver dissatisfaction.
This blog generally provides support to those who are still driving. However, you may be considering, have considered, or are temporarily sitting out on rideshare driving for various reasons. So I thought it appropriate to offer some support to the afflicted – those who are still driving but who are on the path to separation.
Harry here. It seems like Uber’s bad PR just keeps happening, week after week. This week, it’s the departure of a top Uber exec and the potential for more employees to flee Uber. What does this mean for Uber – and Lyft? Senior RSG contributor John Ince breaks down the news, plus some alarming news for drivers who don’t have rideshare insurance, in this week’s round up.
