Let me ask Uber and Lyft drivers a question that could determine the future of rideshare driving: If you could choose today, would you keep upfront fares as is or go back to the old rate card? Before you answer, forget about the flashy app features, temporary bonuses, and promises of flexibility. I want you to think about your actual earnings, your operating expenses, and whether you believe the current system is working in your favor.
I have been driving Uber in Los Angeles for almost eleven years, completed more than 11,000 trips, and watched this industry evolve from a relatively straightforward mileage-and-time compensation model into a marketplace where the companies decide what each individual trip is worth. I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. And while upfront pricing has some advantages, I believe drivers need to have an honest conversation about what we gained, what we lost, and whether the old system deserves another look.
This is an unofficial survey, and I want drivers to participate regardless of whether they drive full-time, part-time, or occasionally. There is no right answer for everyone. But if we want to understand what drivers actually want, we need to stop guessing and start listening.
What Was Better About the Old Rate Card?
For those who started driving after upfront fares became standard in their market, let me explain how the old system worked. In markets with rate cards, drivers were generally paid according to published rates for mileage and time, sometimes supplemented by other fees or adjustments. The calculation was more predictable, and drivers could estimate compensation using the trip’s expected duration and distance.
In Los Angeles, drivers once worked under rates of approximately $1.20 per mile and $0.30 per minute before the economics changed dramatically. Those rates were not perfect, and they certainly did not guarantee profitability. Traffic, dead miles, vehicle expenses, and unpaid waiting time still mattered. Nevertheless, drivers had a clearer formula for understanding what they were being paid.
The biggest advantage was transparency. If a passenger took a longer route or traffic slowed the trip, the mileage and time components generally determined the resulting fare. Drivers could calculate whether a trip made sense without trying to decipher an offer generated by an opaque pricing system.
Of course, the old rate card did not eliminate every problem. A short trip could still be unprofitable, and a long pickup could still waste valuable time. But at least drivers knew the basic rules of the game.
What Did We Get With Upfront Fares?
Upfront fares changed the equation. Drivers began seeing an offered payout and, in many markets, more information about the pickup, destination, estimated time, and distance before accepting a request. That created an opportunity to make more informed decisions about individual trips.
For drivers who understand their costs and know their markets, upfront pricing can be useful. You can reject a terrible offer, avoid a destination you do not want, and prioritize trips that fit your schedule. You are not automatically required to accept every request simply because the app sends it.
However, there is a catch. The offered payout is determined by the platform, and drivers generally cannot see a simple, consistent formula explaining exactly how that amount was calculated. Two trips that look similar can produce different offers, leaving drivers wondering what changed and why.
The companies may argue that upfront pricing helps balance supply and demand. That might be true, but it also gives them greater flexibility over what they offer drivers. When passengers pay one amount and drivers receive another, questions about transparency and the platform’s share naturally follow.
My biggest concern is that too many drivers focus on the payout displayed on the screen without calculating the actual cost of completing the trip. A $15 offer is not automatically better than a $10 offer. Distance, pickup time, traffic, destination, and the likelihood of finding another profitable ride all matter.
Which System Actually Pays Drivers Better?
That is the million-dollar question, and we should not answer it with nostalgia or assumptions. The old rate card provided a more predictable compensation formula, but published rates could be reduced. Upfront fares offer flexibility, but an attractive-looking payout does not necessarily translate into higher net earnings.
To compare the systems fairly, drivers need to examine revenue per mile, revenue per hour, total miles driven, unpaid time, and operating expenses. We also need to account for differences between markets, vehicle types, driving schedules, and local regulations.
Some drivers may prefer upfront fares because they can cherry-pick requests and avoid trips that make little business sense. Others may prefer a rate card because they value predictability and believe the current system leaves too much discretion in the hands of the platforms.
Personally, I do not believe drivers should blindly support either model. The real question is which system produces better economics while providing transparency and reasonable control over our work. If upfront fares stay, drivers deserve clearer pricing information and compensation that reflects the entire job, including reasonable pickup time and distance.
My Final Take: Time to Hear From Drivers
This is where you come in. I want to hear from drivers who have experienced both systems, as well as newer drivers who have only known upfront pricing. Tell us what works, what does not, and what you would change if Uber and Lyft actually listened.
Do not simply tell me that the old days were better or that upfront fares offer more flexibility. Explain why. Share examples from your market, describe how your earnings have changed, and tell us whether you believe you are better off today.
My unofficial survey question is straightforward: Keep upfront fares or go back to the old rate card?
If you could choose one system tomorrow, which would it be, and why? Leave your answer in the comments. Let’s see whether drivers agree, disagree, or have a better solution altogether. Because one thing is certain: if drivers never speak up, Uber and Lyft have little incentive to change anything.
Be safe out there!
Email me your comments to sergio@therideshareguy.com
Sergio@RSG
