This is a thread for uber Drivers and Riders, your daily experiences generally while on a trip so that both riders and drivers can learn. I am an uber driver, started recently. I am also a graduate and i think most drivers on uber and bolt are graduates. its a side hustle most times, getting busy while something better comes up. For some its a job that put food on the table for the driver and his/her family. I said 'her' cos i was opportuned to meet a lady who is an uber driver. i was impressed and i was like "go girl", nothing should hinder you from making that money.

I was excited about starting but the registration process took longer than i expected but My account was finally active. Washed the car, cleaned everywhere in the car and i was ready to make 30k in one day or so i thought.... I intend to register on bolt so as to make up the idle times.

I drive in abuja by the way, and i havent stayed in abuja for long so sometimes i rely on the maps to take me to the destination. But i enjoy the slick roads and all. you wont worry much about your shaft, bearings etc.

I recieved my first request on a tuesday morning while i was close to area 1, went close to the old secretariate and picked a guy and a lady. i think they were going to work or something, dropped them at Wuse 2. it was a card trip and it was something i wasnt sure of. Ma guy is expecting to collect cash, 'oga you should know by now that you are a high level taxi driver, sometimes riders pay with card' That was how they dropped and the guy kindly told me its a card trip so the fair has been deducted from him already. Is that how we do? oya na lets make more money

The main cause of misunderstandings between drivers and riders is as a result of taking one route and the rider is expecting you the driver to take another route. Yesterday i was on twitter and i read about quarel that ensued between a lady and an uber driver in lagos. i think its all because of the same reason. Its always good for the driver to ask the rider which route to take before taking a particular route. Before someone will think you want to use them to buy benz in a matter of minutes
Another thing is that most drivers dont use the uber app for navigation, when the driver sees the destination he will switch to google maps which is more user friendly. The uber map gives you the shortest route while google map is designed in such a way that it will give you the best route, cutting out traffic lights, giving you routes with less traffic etc. I was at wuse 2 some days back, i ignored the google map route cos the destination is very close so why will i take a longer route shown to me by google map. I learnt the hard way when i took the turn and saw the road blocked by shi'ites protesting, Ah . That was how the ETA was extended but the rider didnt complain cos he feels thats the best route. Google gave me a route that will make me by-pass the protest but i ignored. So i beg you riders to be gentle on us ehn

Please feel free to join the conversation, any experience as a driver or rider that will make us enjoy our trips more.