Every other week, I published Rideshare Drivers React on Linked In – it’s a roundup of trending news and what you, the drivers, have to say about it. You can take a look at the series’ previous newsletters here, and I have included this week’s edition below. Let me know what you think in the comments!
[Editor’s note: Quotes are lightly edited for clarity]
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Uber Launches Uber Green! A Service That Pays Drivers More!
Recently, Uber announced a commitment to going green in the form of a pledge to become a ‘fully zero-emission platform by 2040’, with 100% of rides taking place in zero-emission vehicles. In addition, Uber also announced it’s setting a goal to have 100% of rides take place in electric vehicles by 2030.
Uber has a four-pronged approach to tackling this pledge, comprised of:
- Expanding Uber Green to make it easier for riders to choose to travel in hybrids or EVs.
- Committing $800 million in resources to help hundreds of thousands of drivers transition to EVs by 2025.
- Investing in our multimodal network to promote sustainable alternatives to personal cars.
- Being transparent and accountable to the public along the way.
For drivers of hybrid or electric vehicles, too, there is a chance to earn more: those drivers will receive an extra 50 cents for every new Uber Green trip completed. In addition, those drivers driving electric vehicles (EVs) will receive an additional $1 for every trip completed. What do drivers think of this announcement and the potential additional income for hybrid and electric vehicles?
Here’s what readers are saying:
Unsurprisingly, drivers would prefer to see fewer ‘gimmicks’, as many claimed this pledge to be, and more actual green – in the form of money:
“Any smart full-time driver already drives a hybrid. Until you raise the rates we are still just driving to pay for the cost of our vehicle. I could care less about an extra fifty cents. What I would like to see is Uber stop taking up to 67% of what the customer is paying.”
Driver Jonathan, while stating he loves the efficiently and savings from his Prius, notes that drivers won’t really make that much more with Uber’s new Uber Green incentive program:
“Uber in Los Angeles at least, averages 2 trips per hour if you’re taking every short ride. That’s a 5-10 min pickup with a 15-20 min drive and drop off. A 50+ hr work week. I LOVE my Prius. There are gigantic savings and value to be had with hybrids and EV’s. This is a good adjustment on their part, but they never miss an opportunity to offer an incentive you can’t qualify for, is too difficult, or can be a “tease” if you don’t get enough ride offers.”
Chime in on the discussion here.
LWA Unemployment Benefits of $300 A Week Has Been Extended To 6 Weeks!
Ever since the extra $600/week unemployment benefits ran out at the end of July, drivers who were unemployed due to COVID have been scrambling to figure out what’s next: should they risk their health and drive, or wait for additional stimulus funding?
Part of that problem has been solved – somewhat. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced it would be funding six weeks in $300 supplemental unemployment benefits to every state and territory by September 10. This means drivers in most states should see an extra $300 (but not $600) a week for the next six weeks, thanks to emergency funding from FEMA.
Needless to say, most drivers are still confused about what’s happening and don’t know where to turn.
Here’s what readers are saying:
The overwhelming opinion of drivers is that everything is a mess, and no one is really sure when they’re going to get funding or for how long, as every state seems to be handling this differently. The reader below sums up the general feeling toward the announcement of the Lost Wages Assistance program:
“I’m in the SF [San Francisco] Bay area and got two times 300 dollars so far. I got it last week one evening in my B of A account. I don’t know if I’m getting more since there has been no correspondence. Still getting a little from California unemployment. I’m grateful for whatever I get..”
Chime in on the discussion here.
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Should I Buy Uber Stock? Answer Depends on “Nights Out & Flights Out” — And Driverless Cars
Should you buy Uber stock? It’s a question some drivers may be asking themselves ever since Uber went public in 2019. There are a few questions drivers need to ask themselves before investing in Uber stock, including for how long they’re willing to hold on to the stock and how much they think Uber (and Lyft) will be impacted long term by COVID.
Here’s what readers are saying:
Reader Jared believes a lot of Uber’s future viability hinges on the outcome of the election – particularly, voting in California:
“Uber’s stock performance for the next 3 months and years to come will be immensely affected by what happens with California bill AB-5 and Proposition 22. If proposition 22 doesn’t pass on the Nov. 3 ballot, it is 80% probable Uber will leave the state and consequently 15% or more of its total business.”
Chime in on the discussion here.
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