RSG036: Scott Rutkowski On How Uber Has Revolutionized Transportation For Passengers With Disabilities

Today we’re chatting with Scott Rutokowski, a blind Uber passenger from Penrith, Australia.  It isn’t every day that I get an e-mail from someone like Scott, but I really enjoyed his story and it also highlights one of the positive aspects about driving that we often forget: helping people.

It’s easy to overlook the people we’re helping as drivers but on today’s show, we’ll talk all about Scott’s experience hailing a taxi as a blind passenger before Uber (hint: not good) and what Uber’s done for not only him but the entire community of passengers with disabilities.

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

Intro

• Interview with Scott Rutkowski on how Uber has revolutionized transportation for passengers with disabilities
• So much of Uber coverage is focused on the negative, it’s nice to hear a positive story to remind us of the people we’re helping
• Tons of changes to Maximum Ridesharing Profits – check it out if you want to drive smarter, not harder!
• Special thanks to the following iTunes listeners who’ve left us 5 star reviews: the frugal exerciser, xombeast, everynicknamesunique, jbsglobal, danekirk

Interview with Scott Rutkowski

• Blind since birth, Scott recently started taking Uber rides as a passenger
• Lives in Penrith, near Sydney, Australia
• Apps on the phone have made doing a lot of things even easier
• Uber has really revolutionized how he’s able to get around independently, very different from taking taxi cabs

First Impressions of Uber

• At the very beginning, there were some accessibility issues, but since then, it’s vastly improved
• Uber does do a good job of responding to app issues
• Uber only recently came to Penrith, more prevalent in larger cities
• UberASSIST exists, but again, more prevalent in large cities vs. smaller cities and suburbs
• Drivers generally good at being responsive

Riding with Uber Now Vs. Previous Travel

• Currently gets half-priced taxis, but still prefers Uber
• Experience is more personalized than taking a taxi cab
• The media has one perception of Uber, but having Uber and taxis co-exist is good for everyone

Tips for Uber Drivers

• Give passengers options on where to sit – don’t just assume they know where you prefer them to sit
• Try to keep your vehicle as clean as possible – this goes for all passengers!
• Be courteous

Tips for Uber

• Needs to be more responsive to the community – emails shouldn’t take more than a day to respond to
• Call center would be helpful
• For the most part, Uber is pretty responsive

Outro

• Really great to hear stories like this – sometimes drivers don’t realize how much they impact their passengers
• Changes are coming to Uber – the more people who download and use the Uber app, drivers will come into contact with all types of people
• We, as drivers, have the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives
• Don’t forget to sign up for our free, 6 day business of rideshare course – check out our behind the scenes video at Maximum Ridesharing Profits

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

Drivers, what do you think about Scott’s experience as a blind passenger and have you had any interactions with passengers with disabilities?

-Harry @ RSG