Anyone here an Uber driver?

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adida101

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#171894 4-May-2015 21:41

I just applied to become one yesterday. I'm a student and enjoy driving, and figured if I have a day or few hours free every now and then why not utilise it and earn some money?

Would be interesting to hear people's experiences driving as an Uber driver, e.g. how long/difficult was it to get registered, what are the hourly earnings, is it worth your time etc...

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#1297967 4-May-2015 23:10

I was thinking of this for fun since I kinda enjoy driving. But I'll probably have to buy another car for this - for insurance purposes, COF etc.

adida101

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#1297970 4-May-2015 23:13

From reading around it seems you need a fairly new car (2004 or later) in excellent condition to qualify. Although I'm not far along enough in the process yet to know how they determine the quality of the car.

andrewNZ

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#1298000 5-May-2015 07:05

Are you licensed to carry passengers?

From memory, there is also a legal requirement for you to be a licensed taxi operator.

cisconz

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#1298028 5-May-2015 07:40

andrewNZ: Are you licensed to carry passengers?

From memory, there is also a legal requirement for you to be a licensed taxi operator.

Yup, you need a passenger endorsement on your license.

Hmmmm

scuwp

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#1298032 5-May-2015 07:47

cisconz:
andrewNZ: Are you licensed to carry passengers?

From memory, there is also a legal requirement for you to be a licensed taxi operator.

Yup, you need a passenger endorsement on your license.

..and I think a Passenger Service Licence as well.

Also something to bear in mind - the current conflict between the current law and the way Uber operates. Some Uber drivers have already been prosecuted. There was another large thread on here on that.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

khull

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#1298072 5-May-2015 09:15

Slightly OT but people who have used Uber for Airport pickups - how do you organise the location with the driver? in AKL? WLG?

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wasabi2k

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#1298099 5-May-2015 09:37

khull: Slightly OT but people who have used Uber for Airport pickups - how do you organise the location with the driver? in AKL? WLG?

Man I would expect the local taxis to lynch an uber driver at the airport. The restrictions on taxis and the time they queue is insane.

tardtasticx

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#1298107 5-May-2015 09:47

khull: Slightly OT but people who have used Uber for Airport pickups - how do you organise the location with the driver? in AKL? WLG?

Super easy. Done this while in Wellington.

Get to airport, fire up app and request pickup. Uber guy texts us where to meet in 2 min.

To go to airport we did the same except rung the driver to confirm pickup point at hotel. Got dropped off at the usual public drop off point. Couldn't be easier.

Anytime you use the app you can contact the driver before they pick you up either by call or text. It's quite handy.

khull

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#1298123 5-May-2015 10:06

wasabi2k:
khull: Slightly OT but people who have used Uber for Airport pickups - how do you organise the location with the driver? in AKL? WLG?

Man I would expect the local taxis to lynch an uber driver at the airport. The restrictions on taxis and the time they queue is insane.

Fair point but - fail to see where the problem lies. Essentially it is no different to arranging for a family member/friend to pick up at the airport upon arrival except compensation for the service will be different

Largely the issue lies with viewing Uber services the same as what would be defined as a taxi.

If the taxi definition applies to any compensating passenger getting into another vehicle they have no ownership for the purposes to be taken to another destination, then this is where the conflict lies.

wellygary

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#1298124 5-May-2015 10:06

wasabi2k: Man I would expect the local taxis to lynch an uber driver at the airport. The restrictions on taxis and the time they queue is insane.

I think you will find that many uber drivers in NZ are actually existing taxi drivers,

They see Uber as a way to get around the airport fees for pickups etc

wasabi2k

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#1298132 5-May-2015 10:19

I don't support the taxis over Uber or anything - but could imagine the rage watching an uber car pick someone up while you sit in the queue for your chance to get a fare.

And really - they are effectively the same service - you are paying someone to drive you from point A to point B. How are they different? Uber's stance of "we are not a taxi service" is purely so they don't have to comply with local regulations and their associated costs.

It is easy to be "disruptive" when you choose to completely ignore the existing legal framework in which to operate your service.

I like the idea of Uber/Lyft and I believe the taxi industry needs a shake-up - but Uber is doing it in a super shady way.

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Geektastic

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#1298200 5-May-2015 11:04

wasabi2k: I don't support the taxis over Uber or anything - but could imagine the rage watching an uber car pick someone up while you sit in the queue for your chance to get a fare.

And really - they are effectively the same service - you are paying someone to drive you from point A to point B. How are they different? Uber's stance of "we are not a taxi service" is purely so they don't have to comply with local regulations and their associated costs.

It is easy to be "disruptive" when you choose to completely ignore the existing legal framework in which to operate your service.

I like the idea of Uber/Lyft and I believe the taxi industry needs a shake-up - but Uber is doing it in a super shady way.

Do the airport firms charge huge fees for public transport buses to stop at airports?

Auckland certainly needs a decent rail link to Britomart from the airport, that is for sure.

Coil

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#1298213 5-May-2015 11:07

Geektastic:
wasabi2k: I don't support the taxis over Uber or anything - but could imagine the rage watching an uber car pick someone up while you sit in the queue for your chance to get a fare.

And really - they are effectively the same service - you are paying someone to drive you from point A to point B. How are they different? Uber's stance of "we are not a taxi service" is purely so they don't have to comply with local regulations and their associated costs.

It is easy to be "disruptive" when you choose to completely ignore the existing legal framework in which to operate your service.

I like the idea of Uber/Lyft and I believe the taxi industry needs a shake-up - but Uber is doing it in a super shady way.

Do the airport firms charge huge fees for public transport buses to stop at airports?

Auckland certainly needs a decent rail link to Britomart from the airport, that is for sure.

Airbus express that leaves every 15 minutes as you hear on the radio.
Thats a good link, But rail itsnt an option at this point.

Andib

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#1298215 5-May-2015 11:10

TimA:
Geektastic:
wasabi2k: I don't support the taxis over Uber or anything - but could imagine the rage watching an uber car pick someone up while you sit in the queue for your chance to get a fare.

And really - they are effectively the same service - you are paying someone to drive you from point A to point B. How are they different? Uber's stance of "we are not a taxi service" is purely so they don't have to comply with local regulations and their associated costs.

It is easy to be "disruptive" when you choose to completely ignore the existing legal framework in which to operate your service.

I like the idea of Uber/Lyft and I believe the taxi industry needs a shake-up - but Uber is doing it in a super shady way.

Do the airport firms charge huge fees for public transport buses to stop at airports?

Auckland certainly needs a decent rail link to Britomart from the airport, that is for sure.

Airbus express that leaves every 15 minutes as you hear on the radio.
Thats a good link, But rail itsnt an option at this point.

But that would require you to take a bus......

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cisconz

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#1298273 5-May-2015 11:50

Geektastic: Do the airport firms charge huge fees for public transport buses to stop at airports?

Yes, $20 per swipe on to airport pickup location for Taxis at Auckland IIRC

For buses they get a portion of the fare.

Hmmmm

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