A rideshare car can be a petri dish

The Pandemic has taught us all so much.  It is now more important than ever that we not just clean but also disinfect cars. This will go a long way in protecting ourselves and our riders. 

But how can you know what is the right product for each surface inside your car? In a previous blog post, we shared information on how to clean interior surfaces. Gridwise also discusses and goes over the steps of disinfecting your car on the outside. One of the most important things to remember, using disinfectants like Clorox wipes on your car’s display screen is a no-no. These kinds of wipes can permanently damage the screen surfaces over time.

We suggest buying the right products for each surface, but this can get expensive. Doing so can help maintain the value of your car. Remember, that any products you buy as a rideshare driver for car maintenance are tax-deductible. Save those receipts!

 

Should Rideshare drivers take a defensive driving course now?

For most rideshare drivers, it’s been quite some time since we’ve picked up a driving book from the DMV. Right now could be the best time to brush up on our driving skills. With many drivers thinking about returning to rideshare, doing a DF course now would be a smart move. Whether you plan on returning to rideshare full time, part-time or not at all, taking a defensive driving course is something we can do for ourselves and our families.  

DF courses have been around for a long time but now there are more choices than ever, thanks to virtual learning. AAA offers an online option that can be completed in just 6 hours from a certified instructor. In many areas, they offer in-person classes if you are a AAA member. Be sure to check with your local office for further details.  

Taking one of these courses can remind you of some of those important laws we may have forgotten. They also include tips on how to handle road rage, drowsy driving, and more. Quite often your insurance carrier will provide a discount on your premiums for completing such a course. While carriers like Geico have their own courses available. In some states, carriers are even required to give you discounts for doing so. 

No matter who your carrier is, it is worth the time to inquire with your insurance company and complete a course. It will improve your knowledge and make you a safer driver and potentially save you mon

Why people tip rideshare drivers

If you are driving for a rideshare company you are likely doing it to make money and not as a hobby. One way to boost your income is through tips. I belong to several rideshare groups. I often read how frustrated drivers are with their riders and rideshare companies. They often feel that the payment they receive per ride does not warrant any kind of service above the bare bone basics.

PBS has an article about why people tip, and the size of a restaurant bill is the number one way to affect how much of a tip someone will leave. Rideshare drivers have no influence over the size of the bill so what can we do?

I believe that if we are just doing the bare bone basics, we are making a critical mistake. Providing excellent customer service is the reason people tip. However, not everyone tips all the time so tipping is not guaranteed. We, as drivers, need to accept that fact. People tip based on how the driver makes them feel! A rider who had a great experience equals a potential tip! But if you provide just the basics, the payment will be basic as well – no tip. (Of course, giving the rider a bad experience will guarantee no tip, and may be costly to your rating.)

If service contributes to the size of tips, then we can think of it as a numbers game. By consistently providing great service, you will consistently get more tips.

Gig workers need benefits

Working in the gig economy means you do not have a boss hanging over your shoulder. You have a tremendous amount of freedom, which is great. You work whenever you want, which is usually what draws people to rideshare and food delivery to name a few. However, you do give up a lot especially when it comes to benefits! 

It does not appear that companies like Lyft and Uber will be offering everyone a great benefits package anytime soon. So, are there any benefit options available for people like us?

Recently, I discovered a new company that is offering help to gig workers for a monthly charge. The company is called Kover and I have no affiliation with them but I do find that what they offer could be helpful to many. Their quoting system is based on your data that comes directly from Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex, Instacart, Postmates, Shipt, and others. Their services include things like sick leave, health insurance, help with deactivation, record keeping, and more. One of the most interesting benefits is income replacement if you are temporarily deactivated from an app. All in all, I believe it is worth your time to check them out!

Being prepared for unexpected events in life can bring all of us some peace of mind.

Where to pee?

Rideshare drivers have always struggled with finding a clean restroom while out on the road. Since the onset of Covid-19 those choices have dwindled dramatically. 

One option is the gas station where you fill up. They often have open restrooms but it is not a guarantee. 

The worst situation is when you have to go and there aren’t any choices at all. I’ve started carrying a product I found on Amazon called Mini Toilet. Its single use only and can be used by both men and women. After use, it zip locks closed and comes with a small garbage bag for disposal. Amazon often runs out of this one so here is another option called Coolrunner Disposal Urine bags and basically works the same. I am sure there are plenty of other similar products out there but these work great!

When this is all over, I hope we can go back to using Starbucks with locations on almost every corner. 

Prop 22 – Here’s what Uber must now provide drivers in California

In November, California voters passed Prop 22 allowing drivers to remain independent contracts with certain guarantees. Other states are reviewing this legislation with thoughts of bringing it to their state. So what exactly does Prop 22 offer gig drivers?

According to Uber drivers in California will now be receiving the following:

Guaranteed minimum earnings:

  • 20% more than the pickup city’s minimum wage
  • $0.30 per mile for expenses.* 
  • No limit to how much you can make, but if you earn less than the guaranteed minimum over 2 weeks, they’ll pay you the difference automatically.**

Injury Protection:

  • If you get into a covered accident, Uber’s insurance will help protect you and your family from financial hardship. Benefits include medical expense coverage, disability payments, survivor benefits.

Healthcare stipend:

  • With a qualifying plan and an average of at least 15 active hours per week each calendar quarter, you’ll receive a stipend to help pay for your healthcare.
  • For both rides and deliveries, drivers will be considered active from the moment you accept a trip until the moment you complete it.

Other Changes:

  • Deactivation appeals
  • Safety course for new drivers
  • Required breaks
    • Required to go offline for at least 6 consecutive hours if you drive and/or deliver by car for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period.

It will be interesting to see which states will decide to follow the Golden State.

Friday: Car maintenance hacks

Covid-19 vaccination – Uber asks that rideshare drivers be classified as essential workers

Rideshare drivers have been considered essential workers since the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic. Now that the vaccine is about to be released, it appears that there may be an end in sight. 

State governments and in discussions right now to determine who should be at the front of the line for the vaccine. Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi sent governors across the country this letter asking for them to ”ensure these individuals (rideshare drivers) can receive immunizations quickly, easily and for free” he went on to say, “I offer Uber’s assistance to you in making that a reality.”

Whether states decide to go along with his request has yet to be seen. The big question is if approved, will drivers decide to line up at the front on the line and be vaccinated and then drive?

Wednesday: How many hours do you drive as a rideshare driver?

Where to pee?

Rideshare drivers have always struggled with finding a clean restroom while out on the road. Since the onset of Covid-19 those choices have dwindled dramatically. 

One option is at the gas station when you fill up. They often have open restrooms but it is not a guarantee. 

The worst situation is when you have to go and there aren’t any choices at all. I’ve started carrying a product I found on Amazon called Mini Toilet. Its single use only and can be used by both men and women. After use, it zip locks closed and comes with a small garbage bag for disposal. Amazon often runs out of this one so here is another option called Coolrunner Disposal Urine bags and basically works the same. I am sure there are plenty of other similar products out there but these are the ones I’ve tried and they work great!

When this is all over, I hope we can go back to using Starbucks as they have a location on every corner. 

Wednesday: Contacting driver support for both Uber and Lyft

Get your cleaning and PPE products NOW from Uber or Lyft

On Dec 31st, unemployment insurance will run out for gig workers which includes rideshare and app-based food delivery drivers. There is a small chance Congress may pass an extension or new legislation. However, if Congress fails to act, those drivers who have not been driving will be forced to return to feed their families.

With the rate of infections increasing at an alarming rate across the country, all drivers will be looking for sources of PPE(personal protection equipment). Store shelves in many areas are already empty of things like Clorox wipes.  

Both Uber and Lyft offer PPE to their drivers. The distribution of these products varies by company and from city to city. 

Click here for instructions on how to claim yours from Uber. 

According to CNN Lyft is providing drivers free PPE at its Lyft stores. Lyft also has a program to help its drivers purchase and install plexiglass in their cars. 

If you already have a supply but need to re-up or haven’t received or purchased your PPE, the time to act is now! Demand for these items is sure to increase over the next several months.

Monday: Where to pee?

Don’t discount riders who say they will tip in the app!

You’ve just completed a trip and the rider says to you as they’re leaving, “Thank you, I’ll tip you in the app”. You turn your head, roll your eyes and give them 1 star. 

When it comes to earning tips from riders, many of us have been jaded. Tips that were promised by riders never appear in our accounts. No one can debate that the way you feel isn’t justified but are you jumping the gun?

When you complete a trip, a driver is prompted to rate the rider before moving on.  Riders rarely order a second Uber right away and thus are not prompted to rate you or give you a tip right away. In fact, it may be several days or longer before you receive their rating or a tip. Some riders aways tip, some never tip and others only tip when they feel you did really did a good job. The way you rate your rider should be based on how they conducted themselves in your car over the entire trip and not on what they said at the end of the trip. Neither riders nor drivers want to receive a 1 star rating especially if it wasn’t justified. Be patient, that tip may still be coming!

Friday: What roadside assistance program are you using?