How Much Do uberX Drivers Get Paid?

Lcoco nuts on 19/02/2016 - 13:44
Last edited 19/02/2016 - 18:23 by 1 other user

Hi Everyone.

According to my calculations. I think uberx driver in australia is the lowest paid legal worker in Australia. Below are my Calculations.

UBERX give driver
$30 per hour
20 % discount in brisbane $30 - $6 = $24
Minus GST $24 - $2.20 = $21.80
Minus Fuel used $21.80 - $4.80 = $16
Minus Tax $16 - $3 = $13
Minus Car Maintenance $13 - $3 = $10
Minus Insurance Exp $10 - $2 = $8
Minus Free Water $8 - $1 = $7.

That comes to $7 per hour for one hour driving. And no Superannuation. UBER Charges 20% of UBERX Driver income which i have not even deducted.

I this this is a big slap on Australain Fair Trading.

Please comment if you agree or disagree.

Please dont use uber. We dont want poor full time working people.

Thanks.

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Comments

        • AssociatedFlying Ace @ Uber on 19/02/2016 - 19:56
          +5

          @samBee: the additional insurance through NRMA isn't that much extra. But thanks for the helpful tip.

        • hahaboy on 20/02/2016 - 10:14
          +4

          @samBee: how will insurance know if you are ubering? Also, in T&Cs would they explicitly state no taxi / uber style services or insurance is void? Otherwise, it's your own car, and you are driving as you please. If you have an accident, insurance should kick in?

        • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2016 - 12:33
          +4

          Let's hope for the sake of your passengers that you don't have a serious accident.
          It is totally irresponsible taking those kind of risks with insurance.
          This is the side of Uber that punters don't even think about it-they just want a cheap ride.

        • FutureTech on 20/02/2016 - 13:57
          +3

          @hahaboy: when you're getting your quotes one of the question will be are you going to use the car for commercial purposes or solely for private use? And recently since its getting popular they add questions like are you going to participate in ride sharing. So if you lie on these questions and somehow they find out that you're actually ubering when the accident occurs, they have the grounds to refuse payout.

        • Ridiculous Panda on 20/02/2016 - 14:20
          +1

          @hahaboy: if you have a not-at-fault accident and the other driver realises you're an uber driver because your stupid drubk passengers made it obvious, you are screwed. Now if the other car is a taxi, you'd definitely be toast.
          Your claim will be rejected. Other insurers will not want to come near you in the future except with ridiculously high premiums maybe.

        • kipps on 20/02/2016 - 15:50
          +3

          @maolin95: And if the insurer refused the claim (where driver not at fault) purely because the driver was driving for Uber and that did not contribute to the claim then I think the insurer would have issues with section 54 Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth)……

        • ChickenTalon on 21/02/2016 - 23:54

          @samBee:

          you have a not-at-fault accident

          Stop right there.

          What insurance would you need for a not-at-fault accident?!?! We aren't talking about driving an unregistered vehicle. You don't need insurance for a claim when another driver is at fault.

          Now, if you have an at fault accident when driving for Uber. That's a different story. You can't be refused coverage unless driving for uber contributed to the accident. But this is not something I'd risk arguing against the legal army of a big insurance firm. This is where the Insurance Act comes into play, but I wouldn't risk it personally.

        • Ridiculous Panda on 22/02/2016 - 08:33

          @ChickenTalon: if the other driver doesn't have insurance, they will probably let your insurer know about your uber driving when they are contacted by your insurer to pay up.
          believe me, I was once an uber driver and read a lot of horror stories on uber drivers forums. Go have a look yourself.

        • ProjectZero on 24/02/2016 - 13:07

          @samBee: From what I can remember with my friend who applied for Uber… they actually have an insurance policy to cover you during your Uber services, any other time, it falls on you to have insurance…

          In other words, Flying Ace doesn't need any extra insurance covers at all.

        • Ridiculous Panda on 24/02/2016 - 16:03

          @ProjectZero: well, that is what they tell drivers. Let your friend ask them to show that in writing :)
          They only cover third party liabilities (uber passengers, other cars and people in other cars). But the uber driver and their car can go to hell since 10 other people signed up to drive for uber while i am typing this reply, so they couldn't care less. They are evil. Check uberpeople.com and read the terrible stories drivers write on there.

  • Ridiculous Panda on 19/02/2016 - 19:46
    +3

    OP is exaggerating a bit in his numbers but yes, most uber drivers are not making more than $10 an hour. They think they earn what comes in the bank account when they first start driving, but when comes the time for servicing the car, paying tax and gst, they realise they are left with almost nothing. That is why most drivers don't last more than a few months.
    Also almost all driver don't get the proper insurance so they are taking huge risks for minimal gain.
    Also op assumed $30 per hour in fares which is on the higher side and achievable only during busy hours like weeknights which makes even $20 net income seems sh%t.

    • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 01:12
      +3

      Tax deductible…

  • [Deactivated] on 19/02/2016 - 20:06
    +12

    You've been asked many times if you're a taxi driver, and you've not answered.

    Are you a taxi driver?
    Yes, or no.

    • kipps on 19/02/2016 - 20:12
      +15

      There is only one inference as to Saggy's refusal to answer and his comments that he thinks fines are normal while driving —> He is yet another stinky, taxi driver with an inability to drive properly, desperately trying to make people believe UberX is evil as it steals his/her livelihood.

  • djones145 on 19/02/2016 - 20:33
    +5

    pretty sure they get paid nothing for it and do it for the love to their job and giving people cheap rides home

    taxi drives are so awesome, right up there with sue car salesmen, Politician and real estate agents

    awesome

  • ols108 on 19/02/2016 - 20:38
    +16

    Taxi companies and drivers have had a total monopoly forever.
    they let their services slip, and slip and slip, they refused to offer a good service and in business if you don't offer a good service eventfully something like Uber happens and then they want to cry its not fair?

    How many people honestly get Uber for Price?
    I do it because the vehicles are always clean, the driver can always understand me and I feel safe.
    The last cab I got into in Sydney was talking on his cell phone and smoking, WT Actual F.

    Good Lucky Saggy, time to follow your mates into the courier driving business my friend.

    • kipps on 20/02/2016 - 12:57
      +6

      Uber could be exactly the same price as a taxi and I would still take it to avoid those stinky cabbies and their poor driving that have been taking us all for a ride with their government imposed monopoly. Even with UberX giving them serious competition they STILL have yet to listen to obvious feedback that they need to improve their service!

    • Mrgreenz on 22/02/2016 - 18:27

      Couldnt agree more. Became a big fat dinosaur from with help from the government and all the middlemen getting a slice of the pie (read: backhanders). When taxi plates are costing $100,000s per year it`s obvious people involved in the indusrty were getting greedy at the customers expense.

  • Erkel on 19/02/2016 - 23:00
    +27

    Most Uber drivers I know don't do it as a full time job, just a side thing for a bit of extra spending money or they genuinely enjoy it. Because of this, my experiences with Uber rides are FAR more pleasant than taxi rides. In the end, the service that can provide a better customer experience always wins.

    Taxi rides feel like a blowjob from a homeless crack addict, sure they gets you to places but you walk away feeling dirty with a complimentary lucky dip in the STD pot. Uber rides are like the full boyfriend/girlfriend experience with a high end escort.

    Unless taxi drivers can step up their game, I will continue using Uber.

    • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 00:58
      +6

      The funny part is that the Taxi industry doesn't even want to change.

      Surely they have the resources to create an Uber like app but nooo the Drivers won't be able to cheat customers with such a system.

      • hahaboy on 20/02/2016 - 10:15
        +1

        to be fair, creating an app that is like that is just competing with an already saturated mobile market of uber users. I don't think that approach would work that well either.

        • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 12:29
          +8

          I have to disagree as one of the biggest attraction of Uber is real time tracking. The 'incompetence' of taxi drivers drives so many people nuts. With GPS tracking there is accountability and I think its just about the only thing that will save the taxi industry.

        • kipps on 20/02/2016 - 13:01
          +8

          @GameChanger: Not just real time tracking but the rating system to weed out bad drivers keeps the customer experience good. Imagine how many cabbies would get the sack if the taxi industry cared enough to create a rating system!

        • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 22:22
          +3

          @kipps: Indeed! Rating system would wipe out half the taxi force loll

      • PVA on 20/02/2016 - 22:12
        +1

        I thought they tried but accc said they couldnt as it would be unfair to competition.
        http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-12/accc-blocks-launch-of-…

        seems unfair to me.

        • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 22:20

          If Taxi really wanted the app to pass by now they would have modified it.

          Not sure why the ACCC got so upset.

      • catbrain on 25/02/2016 - 14:02

        Isn't that exactly what GoCatch is? Created by 3rd party but only available to registered taxi drivers from any company, offers rating, paying within the app, including PayPal, real-time tracking including connection to the driver… I use it all the time for work. And no surge pricing.

        • GameChanger on 25/02/2016 - 14:12

          Yep; things have got interesting! Though I think Uber still has the $$$ to dominate the market through price and marketing.

    • JV159 on 20/02/2016 - 10:42
      +4

      Maybe someone should make an Uber style app for the escort thing you're talking about :P

    • easternculture on 22/02/2016 - 17:43
      +1

      Taxi rides feel like a blowjob from a homeless crack addict

      So you've had a blow job from a homeless crack addict?

  • Nillionaire on 19/02/2016 - 23:19
    +11

    Cool story bro.
    Unless you drive Uber, not your place to complain and "worry" about them.
    Thanks!

    • Daabido on 21/02/2016 - 20:10
      +1

      Unless you are a refugee, not your place to complain and "worry" about them.
      Thanks!

      • Nillionaire on 21/02/2016 - 20:24
        +4

        Lol, point taken but completely different situations. :)

        People are forced to become refugees while people choose to drive Uber and they aren't complaining(on the same things as OP).

        Thanks for the amusing reply pointing out my comment's flaw.

        • misu p on 23/02/2016 - 12:30
          -4

          @Nillionaire congrats you managed to miss the point yet again.

      • easternculture on 22/02/2016 - 17:45

        Unless you CEO of minimum wage PTY LTD, not your place to complain and "worry" about them.
        Thanks!

  • Stashed on 20/02/2016 - 01:16
    +9

    Reading this in an Uber (torrential rain in Brisbane, I'm not walking in this).
    I agree with ols108 and Erkel.

    Uber fixes EVERY issue taxis have NEVER bothered to solve.
    It is to the point where you look at the uber 'system'/ business model and think….
    It is actually the most simple and obvious improvements over taxi it becomes funny to me.

    I order an uber… can see the drivers name and face before they turn up…. know where/ how far away the driver is…get in be greeted and don't get the BS charges at the end normal taxi drivers try to add onto normal fares like pretending to be at the airport etc. The driver is always polite and has personal hygiene and the car isn't being held together by 3 loose bolts and isn't a death trap. I could go on for a while….

    I use uber at times I previously would have found another method when it was just taxis aka walking or getting a lift.
    Its a case of… I used to taxi about 10 times a year… now I uber 10 times a month.

    I'm also more inclined to let a sister, mother or girlfriend use an uber. I'd NEVER let them get a taxi alone. Main reason is they can choose their driver. Feels 40 times safer if you ask me.

    • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 12:31

      If only Uber got rid of the $5 cancellation fee! Because of that fee sometimes I am stuck with a low rating one who takes me for a ride!

      • AssociatedFlying Ace @ Uber on 22/02/2016 - 10:00
        +3

        No way, we need that fee as some sort of compensation for our time and fuel costs for getting to where a rider is only for them to cancel when we arrive to pick them up. It's happened to me on several occasions.

        • GameChanger on 22/02/2016 - 10:08

          I think we should be allowed 1 min/30 secs to cancel because during that time no ways the driver has travelled $5 worth. There as still some dodgy drivers on Uber with 3 star ratings.

        • fenetic on 22/02/2016 - 11:29

          @GameChanger: You are allowed 5 minutes to cancel without charge. Unless they have already arrived at your destination. I think that's how it works.

        • GameChanger on 22/02/2016 - 13:27

          @fenetic: Pretty sure any cancellation = $5 charge, as Uber probably realized people will constantly change as people want certain looking drivers and cars.

        • eKPardesi on 22/02/2016 - 13:46

          taxis don't charge cancellation fee, also they don't have system to judge passengers (feedback)either,
          especially the ones want everything for free and still bad mouth Cab drivers.

        • jaybo on 22/02/2016 - 13:48

          do you know if there's a time limit on that? i accidentally ordered one the other day but i had my source & destination back to front, it got picked up but i cancelled about 10 seconds later so hopefully it wasn't a huge issue :(

        • GameChanger on 22/02/2016 - 15:08

          @jaybo: I think they seem to have changed the policy to make it 5 mins before being charged https://help.uber.com/h/6bec690f-ee35-40ba-96ee-c38a8ae796e0.

  • vr4indian on 20/02/2016 - 03:10
    +1

    Two questions to op

    1: while driving ride sharing services such as Uber, who will help when you have an accident and car is insured for personal use only? Isn't it biggest risk?

    2: during RBT or any other checks, if authority finds something illegal in boot ( assume it's rider luggage ), how you can defend yourself as driver?

    I understand that each ride is insured but please mind at the end of the day, they are giant MNC. They don't have even phone support.

    Ps: from riders point of view, ride sharing is a great but for a casual drivers, just think once.

  • enzioFirenze on 20/02/2016 - 05:27
    +9

    oh man, the extent cabbies will go!

  • Dollarydonts on 20/02/2016 - 05:54
    +8

    If cabbies spent 1/10th of the effort knocking the competition and performing mental gymnastics they could actually begin reform on their business model.

    • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 12:33
      +2

      The problem is that Cabbies don't want accountability how else will they make a good living lolll

  • nikhi24 on 20/02/2016 - 07:45

    My daughter asked a uber driver once, not sure if he was telling the truth or not but said he earns about 2k a week.

    • ozhunter on 20/02/2016 - 08:28

      Possibly, before taxes and expenses and working long hours overnight.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 20/02/2016 - 10:10
      +12

      No. He just wanted her to go out with him by playing rich.

      • GameChanger on 20/02/2016 - 12:34
        +3

        hahaha

        "Would you like to get Ubered to tonight honey"

    • knk on 22/02/2016 - 22:22

      2k a week is doable before expenses. You're working crazy hours and that is only 100k a year gross.

      Take out fuel gst maintenance depreciation and you aren't left with heaps.

      Been there driven for them and would only do it again if financial circumstances absolutely required it.

  • sparkanum on 20/02/2016 - 08:41
    +6

    It's a little old now, but this suggests taxi drivers aren't getting the love, support and benefits saggy assumes they do:

    http://m.smh.com.au/nsw/taxi-drivers-among-the-countrys-lowe…

    Looks like uberx is actually more lucrative, even if you do believe saggy's ridiculous estimates.

    So maybe we shouldn't be taking taxis or uberx…?

  • rapoot6 on 20/02/2016 - 13:54
    +13

    Ran out of negs pretty quickly here.. I guess I have to come back tomorrow.

    • kipps on 20/02/2016 - 15:46
      +7

      You're not the only one. After years on OzBargain, it was only when I read this page that I found out there's a neg limit per day.

    • easternculture on 22/02/2016 - 17:48
      +1

      My dad used to tell me "Negs are like 100 dollar bills on Ozbargain . Use them wisely and responsibly. "

      Also don't forget to do your homework and stay away from drugs

      • Islund on 24/02/2016 - 13:22
        +1

        your dad uses Ozbargain? wow!

  • smpantsonfire on 20/02/2016 - 14:07
    +2

    My friend Uber's in an area not serviced by many drivers. Makes a killing in his spare time.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2016 - 19:50
    +3

    I bet Uber drivers don't talk on the phone for 40 minutes of a 45 minute ride.
    Don't get me wrong, plenty of taxi drivers are hard working people who make a great effort at service and time efficiency.
    The problem is that way too many taxi drivers are exactly the opposite.

  • jewsavings on 20/02/2016 - 20:16
    +6

    I've been driving for Uber as a bit of money between jobs. I don't think it is possible to earn a full time and even a part time wage would require a bit of a grind.

    $30/hour or so is about right if driving on a Fri/Sat/Sun afternoon/night but the rest of the week is very hit and miss. I'm lucky I live close to the hotspots.

    The assumptions OP made for expenses are a tad excessive. Not everyone will take a water, you'll need car insurance either way (I'm paying like $200-300 more than before to be properly covered) and you can drive a little smarter to cut down on fuel/maintenance costs.

    I'm well aware than I'll have to account for the GST/Income tax out of my revenue, but I was happy to have an extra few hundred coming in to avoid working some random job, while giving me free time in the day to study and apply for new jobs.

    The 15-20% price reduction does take the wind out my sails though. They are offering the guaranteed hourly revenue for the next month, but I'm not completely sure I'm eligible for it, and the app has been recently updated in a way where I can't easily check my gross earnings and total drive time for a given period.

    Big wall of text I'm sorry.

  • jovialjosie2002 on 20/02/2016 - 21:50
    +4

    I am not trying to stick up for "poor cab drivers", however, I once looked into driving one part time to make some extra cash. What a joke, cab drivers make hardly any money. Working 60 hours a week, they are lucky to make $500/week. The people who make the REAL money on taxis are the owners of the licenses. A taxi license is around $800,000, depending where you are in Australia. The Goldcoast is over 1mil, country towns atleast 250k. These are the people making the real money. I think any competition to the taxi industry is needed, even if uber isn't perfect. I just wish there was more uber type businesses to extinguish the greed that these taxi license people have had for so many years in Australia.

    • ChickenTalon on 20/02/2016 - 23:08
      +9

      Agree that cabbies generally aren't making a motza out of the rediculious government sponsored marketplace that has allowed cabcharge and the liscence plate system.

      But on the whole (yes I'm generalising) they do themselves ZERO favors. I catch an average of 1 cab per week (down from about 4 p/w) before uber). It's s crappy trip way more often than a nice trip.

      • dangerous/sickness-inducing driving
      • awful cars (yes, not always their fault)
      • rude driver with no change when you try cash
      • huge deal made out of paying by card (or the ol, "sorry machines not working")
      • arrogance on pickup from airport rank, one time I was assigned a maxicab and the driver refused to take me unless I agreed to the 5 person tariff. (Needless to say I asked him to take me to the nearest uber bookable location just outside the airport, two can play at being c*nuts!)
      • drivers totally different nationalities from the driver card displayed.
      • cabs dropping bookings when they can't find your address. They just never show and you have to follow up after waiting 10min on hold again with the booking system
      • missing flights because of the last point repeated twice
      • falling asleep at the wheel
      • me falling asleep and the cab driver just driving on and on past the destination I've given

      Then being nearly run over by or having to take avoidance actions when I'm on my bicycle, cabbies are horrible. There is no worse road user than a taxi with its light on. I can understand being a little competitive for fares. But this should never include U turns or 3 point turns over double lines.

      The list goes on and on. Combined with being the public face of the cartels, I just find it hard to feel too sorry for them.

      If I spent 8 hours a day driving I'd be AMAZING at it, there would be books written about my driving, how can they be so bad?

      • jovialjosie2002 on 20/02/2016 - 23:49
        +4

        You are preaching to the converted. The last time I caught a taxi (in Australia) was to Melbourne airport….as we were about 2km from tullamarine the driver tells me "You are my last customer for the weekend" I replied "Just how long have you been driving for?" …."since 4pm Friday " IT WAS 6pm SUNDAY!!!!!!
        He had no sleep "just 3 red bulls" he proudly told me. He was all over the road and I feared for my life.
        That was 7 years ago….I haven't been in a taxi in Australia since. I will gladly take the bus or train from any airport in Australia.

  • veritas_mendax on 20/02/2016 - 23:53
    +3

    Suck it up Saggy. Don't like it? Too bad.

  • jovialjosie2002 on 20/02/2016 - 23:54
    +5

    The huge problem with Australias taxi industry is that it has been turned into one huge ponzi scheme. People buy the licenses, on the hope that they will be an "investment"…. The poor taxi drivers get nothing and the customers are treated like cattle. If the licenses hadn't been so expensive, the fairs would be resonable and we wouldn't be seeing the likes of uber.

  • sulmar on 21/02/2016 - 00:16
    +3

    The whole problem starts when people try to make ride-sharing as their full-time job. The people complaining about uberX will almost always be those that are in the transport industry (HC/taxi) or uberX drivers who have decided to make this their main source of income. It isn't even intended for that

    Uber = Going somewhere? Take someone with you for a bit of $$

    • jovialjosie2002 on 21/02/2016 - 00:41

      Wow ….sulmar….I think you just hit the nail on the head.

    • ozhunter on 21/02/2016 - 00:52
      +3

      Uber = Going somewhere? Take someone with you for a bit of $$

      Disagree. Unlikely the person you're giving a lift to will be on the way to your destination. It could be in the opposite direction and you can only refuse a small percentage of rides.

      • jovialjosie2002 on 21/02/2016 - 02:00

        Hi ozhunter, I interpreted this as meaning….you will never make a fortune driving for uber. I am sure that as time passes, more drivers will come on board and it will be nothing more than an el cheapo service. It's gunna be a race to the bottom, which is actually a good thing for consumers.

        • eKPardesi on 22/02/2016 - 13:58

          it will be real race to the bottom once new Uber likes jump into the ring.

        • ozhunter on 22/02/2016 - 14:18

          I agree. The only part I disagreed with is the one I quoted.

    • Ridiculous Panda on 21/02/2016 - 03:33
      +3

      Except drivers have no way of knowing your destination until you physically get in the car and them starting the ride. It is no ride-sharing. It is a taxi service. Plain and simple.

  • currentfad on 21/02/2016 - 01:13
    +1

    funniest thing i've read here hahahahahaha

  • hearyourself on 21/02/2016 - 12:30
    +2

    Just sounds like another cabby lobbing their case against Uber. Why not embrace the change and adapt to the times.

    • ChickenTalon on 21/02/2016 - 13:48
      +1

      I don't want cab drivers driving for uber… I got one once. It was pretty bad, but at least the car was a lot nicer.

  • Kranbone on 21/02/2016 - 14:21
    +1

    I've considered doing uber but not as a full time job. If I drop a family member to the city rather than find a park I'd drive around the city for an hour for a fare and get a few bucks. Beats sitting in the office reading an old copy of readers digest (not to mention the annoyance of finding a park and the cost).

  • TheOneWhoKnocks on 21/02/2016 - 18:16
    +2

    Saggy got a good roasting and has now gone into hiding.

  • CCDee on 21/02/2016 - 18:25
    +1

    OFT? Ridiculous.

    Each person makes the choice to become an Uber driver based on the relevant costs and benefits.

    The expected income is part of this choice but just because your calculations reveal an income below the minimum wage does not mean the OFT should be involved.

  • striker5950 on 21/02/2016 - 18:44

    i thing the OP is a taxi driver lol.
    anyways uber x drivers make more than that after all expenses, more like 15 to 20 an hour in the pocket, based on the days and times.
    however one of the worst worst thing about being a uber driver is that if u get a low rating of 4.5 out of 5 for a continuous period of time you are out. some passengers give low rating just for the hell of it. i have gathered this info from weeks of reading through forums

  • AssociatedOzJD @ Uber on 21/02/2016 - 19:00
    +5

    I'm not going to sit here and debate on the pros and cons, but I will say this…

    I drive a V8 Caprice V (6.0L engine)
    I occasionally driver for Uber X (not Uber Black, even though I can).
    I'm in my 20s.
    I'm male.
    I don't generally provide water (except on really hot days).
    I'm in Sydney.

    …and if I didn't profit, I wouldn't do it.

    I also have a friend in Melbourne who quit his job to drive Uber f/t and only works a few hours a day (AM) and still makes what he used to working a whole day in a factory.

    • TheOneWhoKnocks on 21/02/2016 - 19:45

      What's the criteria for being a Uber X driver? Having a luxury classed car?

      • AssociatedFlying Ace @ Uber on 22/02/2016 - 10:04
        +4

        Uber X is the "standard" Uber service. Anything with 4 doors and less than 9 years old is eligible, providing it passes mechanical inspection.

      • AssociatedOzJD @ Uber on 22/02/2016 - 10:11

        As Flying Ace stated.

        My car is eligible for Uber Black, but I haven't bothered.

    • BestofOZB on 22/02/2016 - 21:56

      V8 Caprice…who needs water? :)

  • walek1079 on 21/02/2016 - 19:31
    +1

    Prices in Perth have just gone down by 20%. Taxi on Friday (inc Card fees) was $34.50 (ish), fare using uber just now $18.26 for the same airport run. I am very anti Taxis due to reliability, hassle of payment and other reasons detialed by a few earlier, and am love the Uber app, tracking and price. But the price is clearly taking the piss now, I just want a reliable ride at a fair price - I don't want to screw the driver, which I am clearly doing at the current prices. I am now only going to take Uber as an emergency and for rides to the airport (for reliability). Means instead a little more time on the train for me. I am not sure of the answer, but some regulation around average earning after expenses would seem an idea. long live the uber model, but not the silly low rates.

    • sulmar on 21/02/2016 - 23:00

      I think its all to do with demand and supply. I mean, i live in an area which is about 40km from cbd, barely anyone uses uber here (riders) and you should see how many drivers there are sitting around in this area at any given time. Point I'm making is that not enough riders and too many drivers. By cutting down the rates, it encourages more riders to use uber and in a way, discourages every second person who wants to be a driver.

      Demand and supply.

  • TurkishDelight on 21/02/2016 - 23:47
    +2

    UBER ftw… sorry, but taxi drivers have very negative and rude attitude. Taxi drivers forgot customer service and manners, which gave a boost to UBER.

  • sonu1111 on 22/02/2016 - 01:09

    I use to drive UberX in Perth and to be honest, earnings are between $15-$30 (if driving on weekend), $5-$20 (if driving on weekdays evening)

    Majority of Passengers were good (use to talk nicely, behave nicely), but some passengers use to be so bad that I finally decided not to drive for Uber.

  • Smashgh on 22/02/2016 - 11:56
    +3

    I think this guy has basically done the most in-depth answer to how much Uber drivers earn.

    http://uberaustips.com/how-much-uber-drivers-earn/

    It's clear from the article that people who don't drive Uber don't understand is the volatility that's associated with the job. Like trading stocks or finding bargains here, sometimes it's boon and sometimes it's bust. Ask a full time driver what they earn and they might say $20/hr gross. Ask a part-time driver who only drives on Fri and Sat nights and it could balloon up to $60/hr. It's a question that's definitely more nuanced than people give credit for.

  • Koolbargain on 22/02/2016 - 15:27
    +2

    The real question is: Why does this regular Australian with poor English skills care so much about others being paid unfairly?

    But seriously though, I felt like I was talking to a taxi driver just reading OP's comments. It's a bit misleading pretending to care about the low wages of Uber drivers when it is plain obvious you're just trying to create some taxi driver propaganda. This taxi driver is very saggy.

  • norimono on 22/02/2016 - 19:25
    +1

    If what you are saying is true and the prices of Uber were to rise because it contravened some kind of fair trade practice, I would still take an Uber.

    Beyond the disgusting state of many vehicles, the service and the attitude I've had from taxi drivers is disgraceful. When I lived in a place a short ride from the CBD but didn't want to walk at about 9pm at night, I've been refused at taxi ranks. For those drivers not brave enough to decline me because of the law, they would usually grumble.

    When the first taxi at a rank refuses me, the rest would easily do the same. Forcing me to stand at the corner to hail a taxi. It's not like a taxi passes by every minute and I've had to wait for up to 10 minutes.

    • Raihoo on 23/02/2016 - 16:57
      +2

      I've always jumped in the cab before I've told them where I'm going and have never had that problem because of it.

      The only time that I didn't was when I was with a group and we just flew into the airport and one of them told him where we were going (probably only $20 fare). He flat out refused to take us, an argument ensued, and the taxi rank guy at the airport told him that he could either take us, or leave the rank without a fare.

      He took us.

      It's memories like that which make Uber bring a smile to my face.

  • BestofOZB on 22/02/2016 - 21:50

    This must be the most annoying post I've seen for a while!

  • knk on 22/02/2016 - 22:16
    +2

    I did it to get me by while I was / am building up a business.

    Overall, the people you get are mostly good. The money is not.

    Over a 10 hour shift I'd make around 400 on a good night. Fuel would be about $40 in the little 1.5l car I was driving.

    So 360 minus wear and tear tyres etc, let's say we are down to maybe 320? Take 10% gst and I made 290 over 10 hours. Before I started I has to wash my car and drive a half hour to the city. So in 11 hours give or take, I made 290 and I'm using my own car/asset.

    It's rubbish money all things considered but it's hard to argue with the flexibility.

    Keen in mind there were nights where I'd make considerably less, as low as 290 in that period.

    If anyone has any questions let me know.

    • knk on 22/02/2016 - 22:16
      +1

      This is in Melbourne BTW.

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