This thread has been looked at over 10,000 times. It's one of the most popular threads on the uber NYC forum. Know what that means? A lot of drivers have the same idea about coming to the island, the problem is it's already flooded. Here in Suffolk there isn't that kind of high demand and I find myself at home waiting 15 min for a ping and when I get one lots of times it's like 10 miles away because of all the new drivers in the area. If you live in the area and are looking for some side income then give it a shot on Friday and Saturday nights. If not just stay in the outer boros if you don't want to drive in the city. I've resorted to going back to the boros by setting the destination filter to JFK and when I get there, I go Juno and lyft exclusively. That's the honest truth about Long Island now. Nassau has 22 different municipalities and even with a Nassau Tlc license it doesn't guarantee you won't get ticketed. Uber will pay for the first but after that your own your own my dude. Second fine comes in at $3000. And that's basically the jist of the island in case anyone else has an epiphany about coming here.
Can't agree more.
There are Uber drivers driving from the City, sleeping in their cars literally 24/7 during the summer and 24/4 (Fri-Mon) during winter months here in East End.
I personally drive back to the City for Juno/Lyft work only (no, I am not homeless, I have a place in Manhattan too) and never turn the Uber app on in the city) from Tue-Fri on most weeks in the winter since it is totally dead here during weekdays of long winter months.
Desperation due to over-saturation (thanks to Uber and NYC TLC) created hundreds of homeless drivers especially over the past couple of years.
Eventually, there will be a breaking point in this industry, like 2007 real estate/mortgage crash. Biggest indication is, auto loan lenders do not even talk to potential buyers when they hear the keyword "Uber".
Those exotic(!) auto loans with "no down/no credit" and "lease-to-own" bubble will burst eventually. Wait and see...