Two weeks in, B.C. ride-hailing drivers happy with the pay and the experiences
Credit to Author: Jennifer Saltman| Date: Sat, 08 Feb 2020 01:48:32 +0000
When Chris Brideaux started driving for Uber two weeks ago, he did it out of curiosity.
The longtime transit bus driver had some time to spare on the afternoon of Feb. 24, the day Uber and Lyft were cleared to begin operating in Metro Vancouver, and decided to give it a try. Within 90 minutes, he had picked up four rides.
“It was surprising how busy it was — it was just ride after ride after ride,” Brideaux said.
Because he is a professional driver, Brideaux has to balance the time he drives for work with his ride-hailing work, and make sure he abides by regulations set out by his employer and the federal government, which has limited his opportunities to drive.
Since he first hit the road, he has driven his minivan for Uber for about 20 hours, and before expenses, and not counting promotions offered by the company, he makes $40 to $50 an hour. The North Shore resident has done most of his driving close to home, and when it comes to income he said it definitely makes a difference when, where and for how long one drives.
Not only has the money been good, Brideaux has enjoyed the experience.
“It’s been great,” he said. “The people are awesome that I pick up, the conversations are so easygoing, the people are so easygoing. The main topic is Uber and Lyft — that’s all people want to talk about.”
Coquitlam Coun. Teri Towner has met a lot of interesting people during her two weeks as an Uber driver, had good conversations and even picked up some tips for an upcoming trip to Toronto.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” she said. “I think for now the money is worth my time. I do feel I’ve contributed to a (transportation) solution, really helped people.”
Teri Towner is an Uber driver and a Coquitlam city councillor.
Most of her rides have been within the Tri-Cities, and she frequently picks people up from Brewery Row in Port Moody. She has taken one trip to Surrey and one to Richmond, to deliver some karaoke singers to a night out.
Towner is keeping careful track of her earnings in a detailed spreadsheet.
In the two weeks since Uber began operating, she has given 20 rides and delivered one case of beer, and spent just over eight hours on the road. During that time, she has earned $307, including promos and tips. It works out to an hourly rate of about $33 per hour after deducting the cost of gas.
Towner has also been approved to drive for Lyft, but has not had the chance to go to Lyft’s operating area in Vancouver to pick up rides.
On social media, drivers talk of making $30 to $70 an hour and working two to three hours at a time.
A poster on Reddit said during a two-hour shift they pull in between $60 and $70, after expenses. They drive as a side gig and use an electric car.
Another said they drive for Uber and Lyft when there are bonuses and make an average of around $70 an hour, including tips. They said people have been friendly and most are tipping. Without bonuses or tips, the hourly income would be around $30.
Drivers will soon have more choices when it comes to employers.
On Friday, the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board announced that it had approved ride-hailing applications for two companies: Kabu Ride Inc. and Garrinder Singh Parhar, operating as Apt Rides. Both applied to operate in the Lower Mainland and Whistler, but Kabu also applied for the rest of the province and will be the first ride-hailing company in Greater Victoria. They will have to get insurance and any applicable business licences before operating.