I see it way too much, guys just driving around empty not on their way to pick up pax. This is the number one way to lose money on Uber, aside from driving a brand-new $80,000 15mpg truck on X.
You are always making money with pax. Very few cars, new or used, cost anywhere near $.72 cpm to run. A brand new ~$20k car usually costs (incl depreciation) about $.35 cpm. The $.16/minute*, pick up fee and surge are all gravy, none cost you anything.
So, for god sakes, quit driving empty! Stop! I know its very bad manners to stop in front of wherever you dropped off the pax. But, when you drop off a pax drive around the corner, park and turn off your car. Wait for something within a reasonable distance and then go. You're obviously going to incur a few empty miles picking people up but I've read that for some it's a 1:1 ratio. That's obscene, it's impossible to make money like that.
The best possible ride is one that is picking up where you are currently. Not an airport run or 30 mile adventure, it's one where you do not have to do a single empty inch. I don't care if it winds up being a fare that puts $6 in my pocket, if I don't even have to turn my car on to pick up the pax that's a huge win.
*Time does cost you the opportunity to be doing something else, Uber or not. So it's not totally free.
You are always making money with pax. Very few cars, new or used, cost anywhere near $.72 cpm to run. A brand new ~$20k car usually costs (incl depreciation) about $.35 cpm. The $.16/minute*, pick up fee and surge are all gravy, none cost you anything.
So, for god sakes, quit driving empty! Stop! I know its very bad manners to stop in front of wherever you dropped off the pax. But, when you drop off a pax drive around the corner, park and turn off your car. Wait for something within a reasonable distance and then go. You're obviously going to incur a few empty miles picking people up but I've read that for some it's a 1:1 ratio. That's obscene, it's impossible to make money like that.
The best possible ride is one that is picking up where you are currently. Not an airport run or 30 mile adventure, it's one where you do not have to do a single empty inch. I don't care if it winds up being a fare that puts $6 in my pocket, if I don't even have to turn my car on to pick up the pax that's a huge win.
*Time does cost you the opportunity to be doing something else, Uber or not. So it's not totally free.