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7 Habits of Highly Effective Rideshare Drivers

Some drivers just seem to have the whole ridesharing thing down: great ratings, solid tips, and a pragmatic outlook on life. What makes these drivers different? Senior RSG contributor John Ince covers the 7 habits of highly effective rideshare drivers – do you agree?

As I approach my fourth year as a rideshare driver and my 70th birthday, it occurs to me that many of the habits that make you a good driver are the same habits that make you successful in life.  So I decided to make a list, and I came up with seven habits of highly effective rideshare drivers.  What would you add to this list?

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Some drivers just seem to have the whole ridesharing thing down: great ratings, solid tips, and a pragmatic outlook on life. What makes these drivers different? Senior RSG contributor John Ince covers the 7 habits of highly effective rideshare drivers - do you agree?

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Understanding the Underside of the Destination Filter

When introduced, destination filters were incredibly popular with drivers. Finally, some measure of control over when and where we drove, right? Unfortunately, destination filters have been clawed back, leaving drivers feeling frustrated and wondering what they can do. Senior RSG contributor John Ince covers what happened to the destination filter, why, and how drivers can try to work around the limits of the destination filter.

For the savvy rideshare driver, the destination filter (DF) was one of the all time great innovations. In theory, at least, it solved the “dead miles” problem for drivers who found themselves somewhere on the other side of nowhere.  It was the solution to getting home with the meter still running.

The destination filter option gave you that warm fuzzy feeling that maybe Uber and Lyft really did care about drivers because they were willing to invest in something that solved a real problem for drivers. It was progress of the kind that really mattered to drivers, especially when Uber increased DF to six times a day back in 2017.

When introduced, destination filters were incredibly popular with drivers. Finally, some measure of control over when and where we drove, right? Unfortunately, destination filters have been clawed back, leaving drivers feeling frustrated and wondering what they can do. Senior RSG contributor John Ince covers what happened to the destination filter, why, and how drivers can try to work around the limits of the destination filter.

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Save $20 Now So Future You Won’t Die Driving for Uber

In the majority of cases, you aren’t going to get rich driving for Uber. However, there are ways to plan for your financial future so that you’re not dependent on Uber when you’re 65. Senior RSG contributor Christian Perea covers what younger rideshare drivers can do right now to prepare themselves financially – and all it starts with is $20 a week.

I recently took a ride as a passenger with a driver who was 75 years old. He told me he’d had several heart attacks and back surgeries and was living off a combination of his Social Security and Uber income. Without a steady Uber income, this man wouldn’t be able to pay for his daily expenses, putting him in a tough position.

Unfortunately, he’s not the only one I’ve met with this type of story; there are a lot of 65+ year old drivers supplementing their retirement income with rideshare earnings. And according to our 2018 Rideshare Survey, nearly 35% of drivers are over the age of 61.

In the majority of cases, you aren’t going to get rich driving for Uber. However, there are ways to plan for your financial future so that you’re not dependent on Uber when you’re 65. Senior RSG contributor Christian Perea covers what younger rideshare drivers can do right now to prepare themselves financially - and all it starts with is $20 a week.

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3 Things to Never Talk About as a Rideshare Driver

One question we occasionally get at RSG is ‘what should I talk about as a driver?’ While there are many things you can talk about as a driver, should you talk about everything? Senior RSG contributor Jay Cradeur covers the three things you shouldn’t talk about while rideshare driving. Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree!

The First Amendment guarantees all of us US drivers and citizens the freedom of speech.  You and I can say just about anything we want while we are driving around in our cars, ferrying passengers from here to there. But does that mean we can and should talk about everything?

One question we occasionally get at RSG is ‘what should I talk about as a driver?’ While there are many things you can talk about as a driver, should you talk about everything? Senior RSG contributor Jay Cradeur covers the three things you shouldn’t talk about while rideshare driving. Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree!

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Rising Gas Prices! What Can A Driver Do?

Gas prices have been increasing since the beginning of the year and, for now, show no signs of slowing. However, there is no sign Uber/Lyft are willing to increase commission rates for drivers to offset these increases, so how can drivers handle this cut into their earnings? Senior RSG contributor Jay Cradeur offers some tips on how drivers can save money at the pump and while driving.

As drivers, we need gas to fuel our cars and it is no secret that the price of gas is going up.

Gas is the second biggest expense in my rideshare business, behind only the cost of my rideshare lease ($149 per week).  I drive a 2013 Toyota Prius, which gets 50 miles per gallon (MPG).  This certainly helps to offset the increase in gas prices.  But for many drivers, a vehicle that gets 20 to 30 miles per gallon means this price increase is even more significant.

Gas prices have been increasing since the beginning of the year and, for now, show no signs of slowing. However, there is no sign Uber/Lyft are willing to increase commission rates for drivers to offset these increases, so how can drivers handle this cut into their earnings? Senior RSG contributor Jay Cradeur offers some tips on how drivers can save money at the pump and while driving.

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