First things first, I'm a veteran Uber driver in NYC with 10K+ Uber rides since the past 3+ years with 4.81 rating, VIP status with an additional 4-5 years of experience driving limo/black/yellow in NYC.
Also, lived in Miami between 1999-2008.
So, I know some chit about this business in Miami and NYC and 100+ miles radius of both.
Anyway, I just came back from a week long vacation in Miami and wanted to share some feedbacks as a Uber rider about Miami Uber drivers.
I have requested and completed total of 23 trips as a Rider while I was in Miami over the past 7 days.
All rides was completed between South Beach, Biscayne corridor and Brickell/South Miami Avenue triangle. So, I don't have much data outside of those areas.
Here are my observations and feedbacks about the Uber drivers in Miami:
1) 90% of Uber drivers do not speak and do not understand one single word of English, including "Yes" and "No".
Of course, nobody is expecting from them to discuss about William Shakespeare, but hey, it does not hurt to write down 20-30 necessary words in English and memorize them. No?
2) Almost all of them blasting some loud salsa etc. music even when the rider is in the car and they never ask if it is okay to blast their music of choice.
3) Vehicles are usually clean and newer model especially in Brickell/South Miami Avenue and Miami Beach, but, 90% of drivers are clueless about the directions and no idea about their way around. Most don't even have a smartphone holder (holding the phone in their hand), very few use Waze and ALL have their choice of navigation is with audio LOUDLY on all the time which is very annoying.
4) Even I enter the pick up address manually (with a restaurant/bar/condo or any landmark name), almost all waiting either accross the street or around the block which does not make sense since they have the "name" of the venue in front of them.
5) Most cars (even the NEW ones) need either new shocks/struts or sway bar end links along with new tires.
I would focus on more smoother ride rather than blasting reggeaton or salsa with freezing A/C and continuously sniffing my nose. Lol
Anyway, they all gave me 5 stars (I have over 400 rides as an Uber VIP rider and my rider rating is 4.97 out hundreds of rides as a rider (no, I have never tipped).
I gave 5 stars to all drivers who seemed to know their way around and speak -at least- reasonable amount of English, regardless of their vehicle's brand, year or condition.
On the other hand, I gave one star to the drivers who totally does not belong to this business -and any kind of business at all- completely!
On the other hand, you guys have some good surges in certain days and times which we rarely see them in NYC.
I'm seriously thinking about moving back to South Florida next year or so.
Much better (relax, no stress,
no traffic, no overhead etc.) and more profitable (after all the operating expenses) than this chit chow in NYC.
Also, lived in Miami between 1999-2008.
So, I know some chit about this business in Miami and NYC and 100+ miles radius of both.
Anyway, I just came back from a week long vacation in Miami and wanted to share some feedbacks as a Uber rider about Miami Uber drivers.
I have requested and completed total of 23 trips as a Rider while I was in Miami over the past 7 days.
All rides was completed between South Beach, Biscayne corridor and Brickell/South Miami Avenue triangle. So, I don't have much data outside of those areas.
Here are my observations and feedbacks about the Uber drivers in Miami:
1) 90% of Uber drivers do not speak and do not understand one single word of English, including "Yes" and "No".
Of course, nobody is expecting from them to discuss about William Shakespeare, but hey, it does not hurt to write down 20-30 necessary words in English and memorize them. No?
2) Almost all of them blasting some loud salsa etc. music even when the rider is in the car and they never ask if it is okay to blast their music of choice.
3) Vehicles are usually clean and newer model especially in Brickell/South Miami Avenue and Miami Beach, but, 90% of drivers are clueless about the directions and no idea about their way around. Most don't even have a smartphone holder (holding the phone in their hand), very few use Waze and ALL have their choice of navigation is with audio LOUDLY on all the time which is very annoying.
4) Even I enter the pick up address manually (with a restaurant/bar/condo or any landmark name), almost all waiting either accross the street or around the block which does not make sense since they have the "name" of the venue in front of them.
5) Most cars (even the NEW ones) need either new shocks/struts or sway bar end links along with new tires.
I would focus on more smoother ride rather than blasting reggeaton or salsa with freezing A/C and continuously sniffing my nose. Lol
Anyway, they all gave me 5 stars (I have over 400 rides as an Uber VIP rider and my rider rating is 4.97 out hundreds of rides as a rider (no, I have never tipped).
I gave 5 stars to all drivers who seemed to know their way around and speak -at least- reasonable amount of English, regardless of their vehicle's brand, year or condition.
On the other hand, I gave one star to the drivers who totally does not belong to this business -and any kind of business at all- completely!
On the other hand, you guys have some good surges in certain days and times which we rarely see them in NYC.
I'm seriously thinking about moving back to South Florida next year or so.
Much better (relax, no stress,
no traffic, no overhead etc.) and more profitable (after all the operating expenses) than this chit chow in NYC.