driver (independent contractor)

driver

chauffeur livreur

delivery driver

taxi driver

Uber Drivers

The concept of Uber is fantastic. Work your own hours, be your own boss (sort of).  Drive around town or beyond and make money helping people who don't have vehicles or can't drive because they are intoxicated.

When uber is running well, it's honestly one of the greatest ways you can earn a decent living. Some days you'll work 6 or 7 hours and come home with anywhere between $200.00 and $500.00 

The sign-up process is fairly simple and straightforward. Some areas require additional hoops such as visiting your police department and getting a criminal record check, paying $60.00 for your "uber licence" and so-on. You may also need to get a safety certificate for your vehicle. Non of these start-up costs are reimbursed and can often be several hundred dollars depending on where you live. 

Past a couple of youtube videos there is almost no support from uber for new drivers. You're basically on your own to learn how everything works. It's fairly straightforward and doesn't take more than a day or two. As of January 2019 uber has not created a mentorship program which would benefit new drivers by allowing them to ride with experienced drivers for a few days to figure the system out.

After each ride, you will have to rate your passenger. For the most part passenger ratings are meaningless. Low rated passengers still get rides.

Riders also get to rate you. They can rate you one-star without any penalty. There is no way to dispute their rating. There is no way to undo their low rating. Enough low ratings and you're fired, or "deactivated" as they like to call it.

If a rider decides they don't like you, your car, your hair style, your music, the colour of your vehicle interior, topic of conversation that they initiate, they will damage your uber reputation and there is not a single thing you are able to do about it.

Remember if your car isn't spotless inside and out, regardless of weather, or how long you've been driving, riders will complain and rate you low, and there is nothing you can do about it.

If a rider complains enough they can ensure your pay is removed and you will use your time, fuel, and vehicle for free to benefit them. Riders have a large amount of scams they can pull to ensure they get where they want to go at your time expense. It doesn't happen very often, but once in a while you'll be giving free rides to people because they figured out how to scam uber.

Riders also have ways of lodging complaints to ensure they get their money back and you get penalized. 

The good in this is that if a rider is rude, leaves beer cans in your vehicle, pukes, pees, or other undesirable behaviour uber will reimburse you up to $200.00 (depending on where you live)

Some days you simply will not make any money. This isn't Ubers fault. There are just no calls, too many drivers, whatever reason. You'll sit at a local coffee shop for five or six hours and not make a penny. It's a hazard of the job.

Uber has control. Understand you are one of tens of thousands of worker ants in a system. You are supposed to be a "contractor" but cannot set your own rates. They tell you what you are paid and there is little that can be done to change this. Unlike real contractors who set their own rates before each job you are at the mercy of Uber to get paid. 

Uber is an amazing system, but like all systems has its flaws. New drivers quickly learn how careless riders are with ratings and how a seemingly great ride, with a great rider will get you a one star rating that nobody but you cares about.

Like any business you need to know when to go out, when to stay home, and how to dodge the poor ratings that riders give you. Buy a dashboard camera as it may save you from accusations.

There is no management or corporate culture as a front line driver. You're on your own. You sometimes run into other drivers you can hang out with when it's slow. 

If you need help with something, expect to have to drive several hours to something called a "Greenlight hub". They're in Toronto. If you're in Windsor it will be an 8 hour return drive to get help. If you're in Niagara Falls 2 hours. Don't expect to be reimbursed for this.

There is no opportunity for advancement as you're a driver and you drive. 

There is no opportunity to earn pay raises as uber controls the shots and tells you what you will earn and there is no disputing or negotiating.

Overall it's a fantastic way to earn some extra money each week. For some people they turn it into a full time job. Understand like anything else in life, nothing is perfect.

A flaw full business model @ foundation. Vulnerable beyond imagination! Over valued, novice & shallow product that offers ZERO or negative value/ROI to the invested. Modern day slavery SCAM???Irresponsible/unethical/immoral execution of business model @ foundation. Zero evolution since inception. ONLY, only a robust network with zero “proprietary” ownership/concept/contribution. How is this a revolutionary business model? It’s like placing a rifle on the shoulders of others to fire because own/personal ability is NUL=EXPLOITATION! Fares should be higher compared to taxi standards. Service provided is of unmatched quality, convenience, safety, efficiency & the experience. On the contrary; fares are lower?!?!? Revenue generated does not support healthy standards of living in a first class society. Third world fare algorithm in a first class nation? Shame?  A novice/failed fare algorithm which fails to account for real world events & beyond. At whose expense??? BS??? I blame my state government for granting the permit to conduct this model of business in my state/province. Incompetency stamped all over it!!! Gave false hopes to millions of peoples & continues to, intentional & self-interested over-saturation of supply chain to demand with an antique/novice fare algorithm & ZERO revolutionary element. Are any Uber executives collecting below minimum salaries??? WHY ARE DRIVERS??? Why is there no partner quota system in place? Why the over-saturation??? Which body is governing your unethical practice? How much “bribery” is involved here??? Unacceptable! A garbage product with a negative ROI for the exceptionally efficient service providing partners. What a deception!!! There is failures every where, all over. Nothing but a robust network with deep market reach. The majority of which cannot even afford the service but use it because it is 40-50% below fair fare for an exceptionally high quality & efficient service. RIDICULOUS!!! UBER MUST DROP COMMISSION TO 2%. Really!!! Does not provide adequate services to partners, partner irresponsible model of business with ZERO loyalty of any sort, towards the partners. The execution of business constantly forces partners to bait past gains for the next opportunity, as opposed to “gains locked”. The average partners hourly wages fall in the range of 3-9$ after all expenses. There exist ZERO partner fleet management concept.

I've worked for 3 years now almost 4. I will tell you that be prepared for the ways of people joining during the better weather times. Especially in areas near downtown where everywhere you look you'll see someone with a bag on their back. 

Only the top percentage get paid well (I was making 22/hr on average with tips) which is in the top percentage. 

My recommendations: it's all supply + demand and where you go and what you willing to do. Go out when no one wants to; I'm talking raining days, hot burning days, it's snowing or cold, windy days, holidays, areas where there are a lot of hills. 

Get a good lock and DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BIKE OVERNIGHT ANYWHERE; it will very likely get stolen. I've had a total of 6 bikes stolen because I left it overnight somewhere in Toronto. Don't do it and bring it with you on the Toronto Transit. Whenever you do pick-ups and drop-offs, get a good lock and lock your bike well.

Go to locations where there is demand but not 5 people on every couple blocks. Also the better your rating the better you'll do. 

Want to make more tips? Simple: Be nice and make sure the food is in top quality. 

Use your bag plus get a double insulator inside to make sure the food is super warm. Whenever you meet customers, say to them that hopefully they enjoy their meal and have a great day. 

I recommend you getting an electric bike but I did it without one. if you do it without one:

 I would recommend doing 2 hours cycling, then 20 min to 30 min break. Repeat this when you can do it twice (4 hours in total), and if you are really fit then you can do it three times (6 hours total). I did it 2 days on, 1 day break, then 3 days on, 1 day break thus (5 days a week, 2 days off). Give your body time to heal. Make sure to get lots of liquids, stay hydrated, and have snacks with you or get something nearby. 

You have to be quick on your feet and be aware because you can get injured fast on the roads of Toronto if you aren't paying attention. I had zero accidents because I always pay attention around me and don't take many risks.

If you want to get in shape, honestly this is a good job to do when you are a young person who wants that. But like I said, supply and demand. In summer time when all the students want to do this and are all over the place downtown. I can guarantee you that you'll get very little orders if you stay near like 5 or 8 guys beside you. It's just economics, make sure you understand that and you'll do fine by making some extra money here and there. Stay near some popular areas but not where everyone is at as well. In a way you kind of have to avoid telling people where you go often because then everyone else will go there.

In Toronto cost of living is high and car insurance is very expensive.
Uber does not consider at all your costs for maintaining your car and seem to pay the least as possible.
When i started Uber, it looked like a great option to make money but now it seems to not be worth it at all.
After gas, insurance, maintance and the tax you pay at the end of the year. You realize it may have not been the best option. Uber does nothing to help with tax and you are left to figure it out yourself.
Also a major negative with the job are the customers. I have worked in customer service positions all my life and have never faced the amount of stress and disrespect I have with Ubereats customers. Especially the people living in condos and apartments that do not do a thing to help you get into the apartment and deliver to their door as 98% of them request. On top of that the security at the lobby also makes it hard for you.
Ubereats driver support aren't very helpful either. An example would be when I picked up food and the restaurant did not package a chicken noodle soup properly. They usually wrap the container in a plastic bag to seal it but instead just used napkins. Didn't look professional but since I am just a driver I am not allowed to demand better packaging. All the liquid spilt and the bag ripped and I was embarrassed of its condition. Instead of just taking this to the customer I called Uber to see what I should do. They said they would call the restaurant and see If they could make a replacement. As you may have guessed the restaurant said no. So I thought Uber would call the customer and apologize and see if they were willing to take a partial refund but nope they told me to deliver the food in that condition and apologoze to the customer. They left the whole issue with me instad of dealing with the problem right away and providing a better service for the customer. I felt like they just hoped the customer would take all the frustration out on me and hoping the customer would not call them. I was surprised by this as they already know the many verbal assults we have faced with previous customers for lesser issues.
This is not the only issues Ubereats driver face but there can be some good days. But in my opiniom its not the best way to earn money as there are way too many drivers. I use to be busy when i first started and during snow storms or rainy days. But now there are days I get an order an hour.

My time as an Uber food delivery driver was an absolute nightmare, and I can't stress enough how disappointing the experience was. A typical day at work was a chaotic mess, filled with frustration and a sense of hopelessness. I learned that no amount of preparation could shield me from the challenges of this job.

From the get-go, it was clear that management had little interest in supporting or assisting drivers. There was a lack of communication, guidance, and resources to navigate the challenges of the role effectively. This left me feeling like a small cog in a broken machine, trying to make sense of the chaos on my own.

The workplace culture was toxic at best. There was no sense of camaraderie or teamwork among drivers, likely due to the isolating nature of the job. The lack of a supportive community made it feel like I was fighting an uphill battle alone, without any guidance or encouragement from fellow drivers or the company itself.

Undoubtedly, the hardest part of the job was dealing with the constant pressure to meet unrealistic targets and deadlines. The stress of navigating traffic, locating addresses, and delivering orders promptly while contending with external factors like weather conditions and road closures was overwhelming. It often felt like a thankless struggle to keep up with the demands of the platform.

As for the most enjoyable part of the job? Frankly, there was very little to find joy in. The sporadic positive interactions with customers were overshadowed by the overall negative aspects of the role. Even the potential for flexible hours and earnings paled in comparison to the toll it took on my mental and emotional well-being.

In the end, my experience as an Uber food delivery driver was nothing short of a disaster. The combination of poor management, an unsupportive workplace culture, and the relentless pressure of the job made it an unfulfilling and distressing endeavor. If you're considering becoming an Uber food delivery driver, I'd strongly advise against it – the toll it takes on your well-being simply isn't worth it.

I am one of the top rated partners for Uber with over 2000 trips in over 1 yr.. I have never fallen below a 4.89 rating on all my trips.. The pay is decent now that I am a full time driver you can replace a 40k salary with 25 hrs of driving 45 to 50 hrs replaces a 50 to 60k salary depending on when and where you work.. However the support is non-existent as the artificial intellegence Uber has does not read your concerns and do not respond... They do not take any valid concerns and implement them.. If you accept more than 2 matched pools in a day expect to make less than 12/hr.. There is a way around this but I am not sharing this with the community.. Lastly I have caught Uber on numerous occasions ripping drivers and riders off with thier upfront fares.. I have found a way to configure a custom GPS that will allow me to take the shortest route on time and distance. When you do this Uber on 50 percent of the fares will adjust your fare to time and distance but not refund the Riders.. If you take a route that is more efficient Uber will not revert to time and distance.. I have proven this to them on a daily basis.. So what happens is because Uber has lost lots of money they have found a loop hole that increases thier fee but do not display this to drivers and riders.. I have proven this because I have friends that purposely take Uber with me and show me the fare they paid and it does not match my shown fare...  
At Matched pools make drivers 40 percent of thier contracted price and Uber makes 60.. Riders please note this the next time u want to save on a fare by taking pools end of the day I am happy driving with Uber but they need humans to support thier drivers and they just need to stop ripping off the partners on 10 percent  of the fares and riders on 30 percent of the fares.
The drivers should have a community that we can boycott the support and so riders can see that they are being ripped off and they force Uber to pay drivers what thier contracted for and riders are charged accordingly...
Thanks for reading I hope this helps you all..

By keeping you an independant they take more than they are worth. Not to mention the pay they show is before hst amounts. It buffs the number up so your pay looks better, until you pay hst, pay federal income taxes, and ontario income tax. Sure at the end of the year you can right off a car loan, gas, maintenance and repairs and insurance oh and the small amount on your phone usage... But, you will see that next year but need to put it out now. Uber eats pays worse than Uber X! Also, because payment is so impersonal, do not expect high tips, especially on the food delivery side. Not only do they get a fee to book a call, they take a percentage of the ride and a fee from you for giving you the call. 

The driver help line is generally a waste of time. They stick to a script book, spend more time saying they understand, rather than listening to your actual problem. They will cut you off while you are talking just to say they understand your concern rather than just listening to your actual concern.

Yes you can choose your schedule but if your hours dont mesh with rush times, you will sit and sit! No guarantee of calls.

There are mapping issues with the app that you eventually learn for popular areas but struggle through in unknown areas.

Finally remember, Uber does not have your back, they take the customer's side 100% of the time. They do not listen to your side or care what you say. The customer can steal from you, A restaraunt and Uber all at once and still Uber will take the customer's side.

So.... If you drive for them, picture or video reference every issue. Call and document with the help line, immediately, with concerns. Without these steps you get nowhere with this company. Take odometer reading when you start the job and then beginning and end of turning on app each time you drive and the at end of year. Track your online time for phone usage.

Good Luck.

ITS A GIG, TAKE IT AS GIG ONLY

Punctuality and Reliability: Riders often highlight the importance of drivers arriving on time. Positive reviews appreciate drivers who follow the route closely and make sure riders reach their destination on schedule, while negative reviews might mention cancellations or delays.

Safety and Driving Style: Safety is a priority for riders, and drivers are often reviewed on their driving style. Positive feedback praises drivers for smooth, cautious driving and adherence to traffic rules, while criticism can arise if riders feel the driver is speeding or driving aggressively.

Vehicle Cleanliness and Comfort: Cleanliness is frequently noted in reviews. Riders often praise drivers with clean, well-maintained cars and add-ons like water bottles or chargers. Conversely, complaints arise if the car is messy or uncomfortable.

Communication and Navigation: Riders appreciate drivers who are good communicators, confirming destinations and directions when necessary. Negative feedback may highlight language barriers or navigation issues if drivers have difficulty finding the pickup or drop-off points.

Politeness and Professionalism: Friendly and professional behavior is widely praised. Riders often appreciate a driver who is respectful, personable, and attentive. Negative feedback can stem from a perceived lack of courtesy or professionalism.

Availability of Amenities: Some riders appreciate extra amenities like phone chargers, music options, or water. These touches can lead to highly favorable reviews, while their absence typically does not impact reviews negatively but may be noted.

Personal Space and Interaction: Uber riders value when drivers respect personal space, letting riders set the tone for interaction. Reviews often praise drivers who allow the rider to decide whether they want to chat or remain quiet during the ride.

If you are looking for a way to put a few bucks in your pocket quickly, then this is a good opportunity. Not great for long term gain, and hope you don't have issues, as their service support is only available online, and their reps just keep sending "standard protocol" replies without actually addressing the issues you are bringing up - you cannot actually call to discuss the issue, only keep repeating yourself and hope someone actually reads the full complaint. The pay does not really account for long term wear and tear on the vehicle, or the continual increase in fuel costs.
Also, be very cautious when it comes to tax time - the report they send you includes all generated sales volume, including all their fees and their take - if you are not cautious with the amounts claimed on your taxes, or you don't have a good accountant, you will be paying their taxes for them. They are very pro-rider and any issues are always the driver's fault unless you can prove differently. I had one drive that was around $60.00 that the rider claimed was not him and they immediately deducted from my pay the next week. I had to fight with them several times and take 2 trips to their green light center to finally get this resolved and get paid for the trip - if not, I was out the income, and would have had to incur the cost of the fuel and wear and tear on my vehicle for nothing. The other issue is that in many areas, there are far too many drivers to make it worth while. I used to go out and be able to drive for 3 - 5 hours, with most of the time driving customers - before I left, I could go out for 2 - 3 hours and only pick up 1 or 2 short runs. There are better ways to earn a few bucks.

I want to express my frustration and disappointment with my experience working as a driver for Uber. While I initially saw Uber as a convenient platform to earn some extra income, my time with the company left me deeply dissatisfied.

One of the major issues I encountered was the rating system. It's a flawed system that places drivers at the mercy of sometimes arbitrary and unreasonable passenger ratings. One or two low ratings from unhappy passengers can have severe consequences, including deactivation from the platform. This rating system is incredibly unfair, as it fails to account for the myriad of factors beyond a driver's control that can influence a passenger's perception of the ride.

Furthermore, Uber's lack of transparency in addressing these ratings and providing meaningful feedback only exacerbates the problem. The absence of a clear and fair appeal process for drivers who believe they have been unjustly rated poorly only adds to the frustration.

The pressure to maintain a high rating creates a toxic environment for drivers, where we are constantly on edge and anxious about losing our livelihoods due to factors beyond our control. It's disheartening to see that Uber prioritizes passenger ratings over the well-being and job security of its drivers.

In conclusion, my experience working for Uber was marred by the unfair and unforgiving rating system, which ultimately led to my termination. I would caution anyone considering driving for Uber to think twice and be aware of the precarious nature of this job due to the company's flawed rating system.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Driver (independent contractor) 3 salaries reported	$24.58 per hour
Driver 2 salaries reported	$25.00 per hour
Chauffeur livreur 1 salary reported	$26.00 per hour
Delivery driver 1 salary reported	$35,000 per year
Taxi driver 1 salary reported	$45.00 per hour

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