RSG079: An Interview With a Rideshare Unicorn (4.99 Star Rating After 5,000+ Trips)

Have you wondered how some drivers can maintain a 4.9 or even 5-star rating after thousands of trips? How do they make it look so easy? In this episode, we’re talking with one of those unicorn drivers, a driver with a 4.99 star rating, who’s given over 5,000 rides. We’ll discuss how he maintained such a high rating, and his secrets for getting five-stars every time.

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

Have you wondered how some drivers can maintain a 4.9 or even 5-star rating after thousands of trips? How do they make it look so easy? In this episode, we're talking with one of those unicorn drivers, a driver with a 4.99 star rating, who's given over 5,000 rides. We'll discuss how he maintained such a high rating, and his secrets for getting five-stars every time.

Intro

  • Many passengers don’t know that rideshare drivers are required to maintain a 4.6 rating in order to stay active on the platform
  • Unfortunately, almost every driver has gotten a poor rating and wondered, what did I do? What can I do to control this better in the future?
  • In this episode, I’m chatting with a pro driver who’s given 5,000 trips and maintained a 4.99 rating. We’ll learn what his tips are for other drivers, how he does it all, and how you can get to know your city better and improve your driving habits
  • This podcast episode is sponsored by Take 5, and their goal is to get your oil change done in just a few minutes. In fact, Take 5 will actually allow you to stay in your car while they change your oil! Also, they really only focus on basic services like oil changes, transmission fluid, air filters, etc. so you won’t be upsold anything like “blinker fluid” (which doesn’t exist in real life).
  • Take 5 is not yet in California but they are available in the Southeast, and right now Take 5 is offering 25% off oil changes. Find more about it here!

Interview with Leon, a 4.99 Rated Driver

  • Leon started driving for Uber and only Uber in 2016 and primarily drives in the Louisville, KY market
  • He first heard about Uber from a friend, and since customer service has always been a priority of his, he thought he would try it
  • Louisville is a big market, famous for the Kentucky Derby, plus it’s the bourbon capital of the world. Louisville is becoming a big tourist city
  • Has been driving full-time from the beginning

Driving UberX vs. SELECT

  • Providing excellent service from the beginning is Leon’s mission
  • He started out on X, then traded that car for a SELECT vehicle (Cadillac SRX – used, and pre-leased). Did a lot of research on it before choosing it, and he bought it for passenger comfort
  • He actually made more on UberX, but driving for SELECT has taught him to be more selective about what times and where he drives in the city
  • He gives fewer SELECT rides, but that also means less wear-and-tear on his vehicle. He still does UberX rides (surge pricing – but he doesn’t chase surge!)

How to Become a Pro Driver

  • Get to know your city! Not only the streets, but also the landmarks and history
  • In your downtime, learn about events going on, construction taking place, etc.
  • Treats picking up pax like going on an important interview – car looks and smells good, Leon treats the passenger respectfully
  • Leon uses text-to-speech to contact his pax before he arrives – this sets an expectation for the passenger that they’re getting a thoughtful and thorough driver
  • Opens the door for pax if possible and always greets them with a smile
  • Want to be a better driver? Follow the ‘Golden Rule’ for your passengers and treat them the way you’d want to be treated

Chatting with Passengers

  • One thing that can be difficult, especially for new drivers, is understanding when to talk/not talk with passengers
  • Leon lets passengers control the flow of conversation – some want quiet whereas others want to chat, and he lets them lead
  • Body language is very important – it tells you a lot about what the pax want and don’t want
  • That’s not to say every ride is perfect! Leon has had incidents, and for the most part Uber has handled those incidents very well

The Missing Connection Between Drivers & Uber

  • Leon is obviously going above and beyond to make a connection with his passengers, but Uber doesn’t seem to do the same
  • Leon has shared his success (and his unique license plate!) with Uber, to no response
  • How can drivers feel like Uber respects and appreciates them?
  • For Leon, it’s overall about the passengers and the connection he makes with them – that’s what he likes the most about driving

Outro

  • Big thanks to Leon for coming on and sharing his story about being a rideshare unicorn
  • I really enjoy interviewing drivers, especially drivers like Leon who have a lot to share and teach us about being better drivers, getting better ratings and more
  • Also, this podcast episode is sponsored by Take 5, and their goal is to get your oil change done in just a few minutes. In fact, Take 5 will actually allow you to stay in your car while they change your oil! Also, they really only focus on basic services like oil changes, transmission fluid, air filters, etc. so you won’t be upsold anything like “blinker fluid” (which doesn’t exist in real life).
  • Take 5 is not yet in California but they are available in the Southeast, and right now Take 5 is offering 25% off oil changes. Find more about it here!

Show Notes

 

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