As a seasoned rideshare driver with over 31,000 rides, I’ve heard every tip and strategy about succeeding in this business.
Some advice sounds good in theory but simply doesn’t hold up when you’re out there on the road day in and day out.
In this article, I’m going to debunk five popular rideshare strategies that are often touted as “essential” but, in reality, can hinder your productivity and earnings.
If you’re a new driver, learning what to avoid is as important as knowing what to do right. Let’s dive into the myths and set the record straight.
Background
This entire RSG blog and YouTube channel provides advice to help rideshare drivers.
Just last week, while driving around Sacramento, I thought, “A lot of what I have told people is complete BS!” So, to clean things up, I have put together this list of five strategies which, in hindsight, might not be the best advice or at least need further clarification.
I offer this article to set the record straight. Let’s get to them.
1. Drive Slow And Calm
One standard piece of advice you hear is to drive slowly and calmly.
The idea behind this is that passengers appreciate a peaceful, leisurely ride. While this may apply to some passengers, most are more concerned with reaching their destination quickly.
They’re not looking for a scenic tour of the city. Many rush to work, catch a flight, or make an appointment. If you’re driving too cautiously or slowly, you risk frustrating your passengers, which could negatively affect your ratings and tips.
Moreover, driving slowly means you’re spending more time per ride. As a rideshare driver, time is money. The longer you spend on each ride, the fewer rides you can accept throughout your shift.
You might feel like you’re giving a superior customer experience by driving more slowly, but in reality, you’re wasting precious time and limiting your earning potential. You can drive calmly and fast at the same time.
Intelligent, efficient driving gets passengers to their destinations promptly without compromising safety, which is the key to maximizing hourly rides.
2. Reserved Rides Are Not Worth It
You’ve probably heard that reserved rides, those scheduled ahead of time, aren’t worth the effort because of the long wait times involved.
On the surface, reserved rides can appear less profitable due to the 20 to 40 minutes you may spend waiting for passengers or driving to the pickup location. But this doesn’t tell the whole story.
The trick to making reserved rides pay off is in communication and planning. The above image is the message I send to my passenger once I am on my way toward the pickup location.
If you can convince your passenger to be ready when you arrive (cutting down on waiting time), and if you consistently provide excellent service, you’ll find that these rides often include generous tips.
Reserved rides can offer one of the highest tip percentages at 75%. Three out of four will tip you well. Additionally, since these rides are scheduled in advance, you can plan your day around them and ensure that you’re always driving efficiently.
When approached the right way, reserved rides are far from a waste of time; they can become some of the most lucrative rides you’ll accept.
3. Only Accept High Paying Rides
It seems logical that if you want to make the most money, you should focus on accepting high-paying rides.
However, if you only accept high fares, you could be turning down opportunities that would significantly boost your earnings over time. Shorter rides, particularly those in busy areas, often earn a higher tip percentage, even if the base fare isn’t impressive.
Since the ride is less expensive, a higher rate of those passengers will leave a tip.
For example, a $3 ride with a $5 tip is better than waiting for a $15 ride with no tip.
While you wait for a high-paying ride, you could complete two or three shorter trips, which means more overall revenue.
When you’re out there driving, momentum is crucial. You should accept as many rides as possible and be strategic about which ones to turn down.
Only drivers constantly getting multiple ride offers have the luxury of being selective, and even then, short rides can fill in gaps when there’s a lull in the flow of premium fares.
FREE CHECKLIST
Get Your Car Ready to Maximize Profits
4. Drive During High Demand Times Of The Day
Many drivers believe the best time to be on the road is during high-demand periods, like morning and evening rush hours.
While these periods see a spike in ride requests, they also attract more drivers, leading to high competition. During peak times, driver saturation can be so intense that the number of available drivers outweighs the number of riders.
As a result, you may find yourself waiting longer for ride requests, which cuts into your earnings.
In contrast, I’ve found that driving during less obvious, off-peak hours can be incredibly lucrative.
When fewer drivers are on the road, the supply-demand ratio shifts in your favor, meaning you’ll receive more ride requests.
Combining Uber and Lyft apps during these periods maximizes your chances of staying busy. This strategy works exceptionally well in areas where there’s a constant trickle of requests, even during slower parts of the day.
By capitalizing on off-peak hours, you can keep a steady flow of rides without the fierce competition with peak times.
5. Take Advantage Of Bonuses
Bonuses, like the 60% turbo bonus from Lyft, can seem like a great way to boost your income.
But in reality, many of these bonus structures are designed to meet the platform’s needs more than yours.
For example, during bonus periods, the platforms often flood the market with drivers to ensure there are enough to meet demand. This oversupply of drivers means that while you’re technically working toward a bonus, you may not get as many ride requests as expected.
In my experience, it’s often more profitable to stick with Uber for consistent pay rather than chasing bonuses with Lyft.
The time and effort it takes to meet bonus qualifications can be better spent completing rides and earning straightforward fares and tips.
Consistency in pay can be more valuable than the unpredictable nature of bonus chasing, especially when you factor in the variable competition levels during these periods.
Key Takeaways
As you can see, not every strategy you hear about rideshare driving holds up under scrutiny.
While it’s easy to fall into the trap of conventional wisdom, a seasoned driver knows that success comes from adaptability, efficiency, and knowing when to follow your instincts over popular advice.
By rejecting the myths we’ve discussed today, you can increase your productivity and earnings while maintaining a high level of service for your passengers. Before we are replaced by AI robots or self-driving cars, let’s do everything possible to maximize our revenue while enjoying our time on the open road.
Stay sharp, stay focused, and most importantly, stay profitable. Be safe out there.
