RSG058: Efren Rosa on Ditching Uber to Drive Taxi

In today’s episode, I’m talking to a former Uber and Lyft driver who make the leap from rideshare driving to taxi driving. It turns out, there can be a big difference in how much rideshare drivers are paid compared to taxi drivers. Also, we cover how being creative and thinking ahead can boost your earnings as a driver. Stick around until the end, too – there’s a giveaway you won’t want to miss!

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.

Intro

  • Today we’re talking with Efren Rosa, a guy who went from driving for Uber and Lyft to driving a taxi
  • This is a topic we haven’t covered before, and why would anyone want to go from rideshare driving to taxi driving? Keep reading/listening to find out what went into Efren’s calculation to ditch Uber – plus, earnings as a taxi driver
  • Miss our last episode about Mystro? Click here to listen to it!
  • Mystro helps automate your Uber and Lyft driving, like a virtual assistant for rideshare drivers. It’s a safer way to manage rideshare driving, keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. You can register for their beta program here with the code RSGB3171 
  • Hosting another giveaway! Open until July 20th, you can win your own Navdy (retail $499). Learn more about this heads up display and navigation tool here!
  • To win, leave a review of the podcast in iTunes and send me an email with the subject line Navdy Giveaway. If you’ve already left a review, just screenshot that and send it my way – harry[at]therideshareguy.com or click here.

An Interview With Efren Rosa

  • Ohio native, currently lives in Central Florida. Inventory analyst experience, and music career under “EEZZBEATS” in Colombia from 2013 to 2016
  • Began driving for Uber and Lyft in 2015. No tipping opportunity with Uber, so he created Tip With Miles, which helped boost his tips, but it wasn’t enough
  • Started working for a local taxi company and now makes more than driving rideshare – with less wear and tear on his car
  • Started treating rideshare driving as a business as he began driving full time
  • Analyzed the cost to drive, car maintenance, gas, etc. and realized income wasn’t enough for those expenses, even though he’s close to a tourist hotspot

Tip With Miles

  • People wanted to leave tips but, without cash and a way to do it on Uber, no way to get tips… except with miles
  • Created Tip With Miles, which allows passengers to authorize drivers to drive a few more miles to make money as a tip
  • Sign in car that said “No cash? Tip with Miles”
  • Worked out really well, and Efren used the odometer to show passengers just for added security. Received an overall 4.9 as a rideshare driver
  • Tip With Miles not really necessary now, but it shows how being creative can boost income

tip with miles

Transition to Taxi Driving

  • After a while, realized being a rideshare driver was not making financial sense anymore
  • Went to a taxi company, presented a clean driving record, went through training and was accepted
  • Things got better almost immediately – tips, and being paid at a higher rate for wait times (traffic, drive through lines, etc.)
  • Being a taxi driver in a big tourist area (Disney, Universal, etc.) also helps

Taxi Driving Vs. Rideshare Driving

  • Can rent a taxi to drive for a 12 hour block or a whole week – for a week, you could anticipate making $1,000 after expenses
  • Taxis also provide wheelchair service and car seats
  • Have to pay for your rental fee and gas, and you have to drive once within a month. Otherwise, you’re an independent contractor
  • Have to think of yourself as a business
  • In the future, is there money to be made driving a semi truck? Where will Uber and Lyft be, and where will drivers be? Always be thinking as a business owner

Outro

  • One big takeaway from today’s guest is you have to be prepared to hit some bumps along the way as a driver – things aren’t going to be the same forever
  • Have to think ahead and consider your future earning potential – get creative
  • Don’t forget the giveaway!
  • To win, leave a review of the podcast in iTunes and send me an email with the subject line Navdy Giveaway. If you’ve already left a review, just screenshot that and send it my way – harry[at]therideshareguy.com or click here.

Show Notes

Have you thought about making the switch to a taxi service, or did you drive for taxis in the past? Leave your questions and comments below!

-Harry @ RSG

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.