[RightTurnClyde]

I totally quit driving after dynamic pricing came to town for a multitude of reasons awhile back. I used to be downright methodical with getting mostly all surge rides; even then it wasn't much money for sure but doable for a part-timer like me. For those of you still out there, what's been your experience since this change? I know no one is making MORE money after this, but how would you describe your profit reduction after the change? Are you considering quitting as well? No judgement, just curious...

Unless I'm not getting the emails, guarentees are mostly gone as well aren't they?

I'll keep my really nasty opinions of uber out of this since it nothing new to this forum, but personally I will say that I'm ashamed of myself for sticking around with this company for as long as I have. It's really sad because uber was such a great idea, great enough in fact that if managed correctly everyone from uber, to drivers, to riders could all benefit.

 

[Marksb_2000]

Uber is going for driver numbers. I have heard from several people that 700 new riders a week are being onboarded

 

[Atlwarrior]

Uber is going for driver numbers. I have heard from several people that 700 new riders a week are being onboarded

Do you mean drivers being added?

 

[Marksb_2000]

Yes

 

[Harleyfxdx1]

WOW !!! I've gotta believe at the rate of 700 new drivers per week the line to get into the cell phone lot will be backed up to Cleveland Ave.
Wait, my bad ... it already is. (ROFLMAO)

 

[Atlwarrior]

I totally quit driving after dynamic pricing came to town for a multitude of reasons awhile back. I used to be downright methodical with getting mostly all surge rides; even then it wasn't much money for sure but doable for a part-timer like me. For those of you still out there, what's been your experience since this change? I know no one is making MORE money after this, but how would you describe your profit reduction after the change? Are you considering quitting as well? No judgement, just curious...

Unless I'm not getting the emails, guarentees are mostly gone as well aren't they?

I'll keep my really nasty opinions of uber out of this since it nothing new to this forum, but personally I will say that I'm ashamed of myself for sticking around with this company for as long as I have. It's really sad because uber was such a great idea, great enough in fact that if managed correctly everyone from uber, to drivers, to riders could all benefit.

Still good after large events 3.6 from Lakewood. Turner field had a nice surge last night too. Also got 2.3 from Tongue and Groove to Gwinnett.

WOW !!! I've gotta believe at the rate of 700 new drivers per week the line to get into the cell phone lot will be backed up to Cleveland Ave.
Wait, my bad ... it already is. (ROFLMAO)

Right there are way too many Uber X drivers.

 

[Marksb_2000]

There are so many uberx drivers camping out in the cel phone lot that actual people who are supposed to wait can't get in

 

[neweagle]

Uber is going for driver numbers. I have heard from several people that 700 new drivers a week are being onboarded

Wonder what the net count is after the drivers who quit each week is taken into account . . .

 

[Marksb_2000]

I read somewhere that 90 % of drivers quit by 6 months. I don't know ho reliable that is. I know a Lyft mentor who is starting 75 drivers a week by himself

 

[NuberUber]

I totally quit driving after dynamic pricing came to town for a multitude of reasons awhile back. I used to be downright methodical with getting mostly all surge rides; even then it wasn't much money for sure but doable for a part-timer like me. For those of you still out there, what's been your experience since this change? I know no one is making MORE money after this, but how would you describe your profit reduction after the change? Are you considering quitting as well? No judgement, just curious...

Unless I'm not getting the emails, guarentees are mostly gone as well aren't they?

I'll keep my really nasty opinions of uber out of this since it nothing new to this forum, but personally I will say that I'm ashamed of myself for sticking around with this company for as long as I have. It's really sad because uber was such a great idea, great enough in fact that if managed correctly everyone from uber, to drivers, to riders could all benefit.

I have to agree with you! Since the change to the dynamic surge map, I have barely gotten out to drive. I used to work during the weekends as well as some early mornings when I knew there would be some constant surging. Now there is no glimpse of any surges for the better part of the times I used to work.

Perhaps it will improve when school starts back in August but right now the motivation is not there for me. The few times I have gotten out, it was a dramatic difference in rates or rides per hour and definitely less take home. I also refuse to do pool unless it is part of a guarantee and see those pool rides are still plentiful. Also haven't received a hourly guarantee in weeks and they moved the referral bonus back down to $25 instead of $150 it was a few weeks ago, leading me to believe that they have more than enough drivers.

In sum, I think it has become a self defeating proposition for me. I am considering hanging it up for the rest of the summer and trying again in August to see if anything changes. Dynamic map pricing and the beginning of the summer both have made such a huge impact on how I feel about my time Ubering.

 

[PTCGUY]

I don't think the dynamic surge map is the greatest enemy of making money. The influx of new drivers has had a greater impact for me. The influx of drivers has impacted the number of surges as well as avg rides/hr. In January I averaged 2.2 rides/hr. There has been a steady decline in the number of rides/hr and for the last month I have averaged 1.5/hr. I work approximately 50 hours a week and maintain a $6.50/ride avg after fuel. That gives me over $225 less/week. I have not changed any variables as to where and when I work. The only thing one can hope for is to wait this cycle of new drivers out as they become disheartened at the lack of money to be made. Then go and make as much money as possible as surges and rides/hr come back. Hopefully this is cyclical like most business models but Uber is rewriting the book on business models.

 

[Atlwarrior]

I don't think the dynamic surge map is the greatest enemy of making money. The influx of new drivers has had a greater impact for me. The influx of drivers has impacted the number of surges as well as avg rides/hr. In January I averaged 2.2 rides/hr. There has been a steady decline in the number of rides/hr and for the last month I have averaged 1.5/hr. I work approximately 50 hours a week and maintain a $6.50/ride avg after fuel. That gives me over $225 less/week. I have not changed any variables as to where and when I work. The only thing one can hope for is to wait this cycle of new drivers out as they become disheartened at the lack of money to be made. Then go and make as much money as possible as surges and rides/hr come back. Hopefully this is cyclical like most business models but Uber is rewriting the book on business models.

I've been driving for two years and their has always been a lot of drivers and over saturation. Every veteran driver knows that early mornings starting at 3:30 would always surge for business airport trips. Since the new map it does not surge all over Atlanta at 3:30 am. It stop when the old map was introduced. I've also drive in Savannah and Augusta which uses the old maps and it still surges above 4x even with many new drivers.

 

[PTCGUY]

I've been driving for two years and their has always been a lot of drivers and over saturation. Every veteran driver knows that early mornings starting at 3:30 would always surge for business airport trips. Since the new map it does not surge all over at 3:30 am. It stop when the old map was introduced. I've also driving in Savannah and Augusta which uses the old maps and it still surges above 4x even with many new drivers.

Surge or no surge is not tied to the new dynamic map. Surge is surge controlled by Uber under the auspices of driver supply and rider demand. My analysis can only be explained by a lot fewer riders or a lot more drivers and I seriously doubt it is due to a lot fewer riders or else Uber would not have offered the higher sign on bonuses they did for a while.

 

[Atlwarrior]

I totally quit driving after dynamic pricing came to town for a multitude of reasons awhile back. I used to be downright methodical with getting mostly all surge rides; even then it wasn't much money for sure but doable for a part-timer like me. For those of you still out there, what's been your experience since this change? I know no one is making MORE money after this, but how would you describe your profit reduction after the change? Are you considering quitting as well? No judgement, just curious...

Unless I'm not getting the emails, guarentees are mostly gone as well aren't they?

I'll keep my really nasty opinions of uber out of this since it nothing new to this forum, but personally I will say that I'm ashamed of myself for sticking around with this company for as long as I have. It's really sad because uber was such a great idea, great enough in fact that if managed correctly everyone from uber, to drivers, to riders could all benefit.

I no longer get out at 3 am for airport surge trips since it's gone with the new map. I would always get a surge trip from Alpharetta to the airport and then work inside the perimeter from Virginia Highland, Buckhead, Midtown, and downtown hotel for airport trips. I was methodical like yourself only doing surge request and UberPool above 2.1 but not accepting a second request. All that has stopped!

 

[Atlwarrior]

Surge or no surge is not tied to the new dynamic map. Surge is surge controlled by Uber under the auspices of driver supply and rider demand. My analysis can only be explained by a lot fewer riders or a lot more drivers and I seriously doubt it is due to a lot fewer riders or else Uber would not have offered the higher sign on bonuses they did for a while.

I still stick with my personal experience over your analysis. No way business travelers from Buckhead, Decatur, Virginia Highland, and Midtown all of sudden stop since after two consecutive years it would be a guaranteed surge.

 

[PTCGUY]

I still stick with my personal experience over your analysis. No way business travelers from Buckhead, Decatur, Virginia Highland, and Midtown all of sudden stop since after two consecutive years it would be a guaranteed surge.

I agree that the lack of early morning surge is odd but it has nothing to do with the new map. The map is an Uber diversion to the drivers to shift the drivers' focus from the fact that Uber is doing away with surges. My analysis is directly derived from my actual numbers (experience). Uber controls the surge or nonsurge as in our current situation. It has nothing to do with the map. We are not privy to their thoughts or actions when it comes to surge. But I can most assuredly state that Uber is not singleling me out for rides/hr reduction. All I am saying is that this most recent wave of new drivers has had the greater impact on making money than the new dynamic surge map. But if you only drive surge rides then I guess you would have a huge income crush.

 

[neweagle]

I agree that the lack of early morning surge is odd but it has nothing to do with the new map. The map is an Uber diversion to the drivers to shift the drivers' focus from the fact that Uber is doing away with surges. My analysis is directly derived from my actual numbers (experience). Uber controls the surge or nonsurge as in our current situation. It has nothing to do with the map. We are not privy to their thoughts or actions when it comes to surge. But I can most assuredly state that Uber is not singleling me out for rides/hr reduction. All I am saying is that this most recent wave of new drivers has had the greater impact on making money than the new dynamic surge map. But if you only drive surge rides then I guess you would have a huge income crush.

I agree with you here. From what I can tell, "Dynamic Pricing" is a fancy shorthand way of saying "instead of a few large surge zones all over town, we now have thousands of smaller ones." But if the number of drivers hadn't increased, then wouldn't we still see the surges that were predictable (i.e. early am airport runs), but with the graded hexagons instead of the solid colors across an entire area?

 

[RightTurnClyde]

The surge algorithm and maps were specify changed to pinpoint surge better. This caused a reduction and in some places a complete disappearance of surge overnight (especially OTP).

A huge amount of drivers didn't suddenly hit the road the same day dynamic pricing was initiated. It's the app algorithm not drivers.

Cause: dynamic maps
Effect: way less surge

I can understand that this new map is better for riders and might even be a good business move for uber. For driver partners though, uber once again makes a move that results in YOU making less profit. Everyone has their breaking point and I hit mine...

 

[Atlwarrior]

The surge algorithm and maps were specify changed to pinpoint surge better. This caused a reduction and in some places a complete disappearance of surge overnight (especially OTP).

A large amount of drivers didn't suddenly hit the road the same day dynamic pricing was initiated. It's the app algorithm not drivers.

Cause: dynamic maps
Effect: way less surge

I can understand that this new map is better for riders and might even be a good business move for uber. For driver partners though, uber once again makes a move that results in YOU making less profit. Everyone has their breaking point and I hit mine...

The surge algorithm and maps were specify changed to pinpoint surge better. This caused a reduction and in some places a complete disappearance of surge overnight (especially OTP).

A huge amount of drivers didn't suddenly hit the road the same day dynamic pricing was initiated. It's the app algorithm not drivers.

Cause: dynamic maps
Effect: way less surge

I can understand that this new map is better for riders and might even be a good business move for uber. For driver partners though, uber once again makes a move that results in YOU making less profit. Everyone has their breaking point and I hit mine...

Spot on! I agree with assessment! I have also hit my breaking point. They are losing a good driver.

 

[PTCGUY]

A huge amount of drivers didn't suddenly hit the road the same day dynamic pricing was initiated. It's the app algorithm not drivers.

I agree the influx has little effect on the surge disappearing so rapidly. But I don't believe the algorithm did either unless the algorithm they were using prior has been changed. There are too many areas that used to surge everyday at least twice a day that may surge at best once per week and that happened overnight. They may have changed the algorithm used.

My point was that the influx of new drivers has been the biggest drain on my income as evidenced by the reduction in rides/hr. In fact, my rides/hr should have gone up with less surge as more riders would not have to wait for surge to end before requesting.