₦airaland Forum

WHAT A WEEK:THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
last week in summary:

THE GOOD:
I completed the trip, and i was surprised when my rider sitting at the back seat, offered his hand for a handshake.
This would be my first handshake on the job, from a very happy rider... (during the ride we talked about politics, business, etc)


The next ride was also nice because of the rider's comment.
Rider: Wish i could rate you 6 Stars!

On another trip:
Rider made a complaint during the trip about an issue with the car.
When i drove her to her drop off point and ended the trip, i promptly thanked her for the feedback.
she looked surprised.


The Bad:
Drove to pick up a lady at one of the popular churches in Gbagada, after driving 10 minutes to the pick up point, i saw the lady with some guys.
i actually thought only the lady was to enter the car, before i knew it a guy entered the front seat, when i looked in my rear mirror, i noticed some form of struggle for sitting space, i now realized that 3 men and a lady were trying to squeeze into the back seat.
Me: I can only take 3 passengers at the back
Area Riders: Why now.
Me: Sorry i will have to cancel the trip it is against uber policy:
Lady: WHAT NONSENSE!
Me: I drove off without any further exchange.

I am sure the Pastor sermon for the day was not "WHAT NONSENSE".


The Ugly:
Perhaps i should stop being too casually dressed.
Picked up this lady early in the morning, in one of those high brow areas in Ikeja, the client told me on phone to drop her off somewhere at Opebi.
During the trip, she said she was going to a different destination. (It was a card trip so i was not bothered)

Rider: Please do you know where there are aboki's shop
I started driving along the route where there was a good chance we would see some aboki shop,
I was wondering what she wanted to buy from Aboki (i thought of all those hallucinating drugs), boy was i wrong.
After 3 aboki shop and no luck, we were getting to about 5 mins to her final drop off point,
Rider: Please stop there is another aboki at the roundabout
Me: i told i would need to drive to the end of the road and make a uturn,
Rider: That would be too far, can you just help me to cross over and buy CONDOM!
Me: in my mind what did i just hear, did i tell you to be scantly dressed!
(So this was what we have been searching for)
Me: no response:
i put the car in reverse so that she could get as close as possible to the aboki,
She was in luck as the Aboki had the treasured item for sale.
She brought out N200 from her bosom, that would make Lisa Lisa of cult jam green with envy
I finally dropped her off at a different location, which was one of those seedy hotels in Ikeja.

From my bad and ugly experience, some riders have the wrong perception of uber/bolt drivers!
To the king of memes wondering whether he should start managing a different kind of fleet... u are on your own!
If a N200 condom can fetch you N20,000+ in a day, then this is the real Sakamanje!

xana101:
u drive mostly at night? What car do u drive ? Hope it’s not a Corolla. I drive a Corolla and I’m so scared driving at night. I close 7pm max.

SAFETY FIRST!

I had closed early yesterday as i was now on 3% uber commission, with the plan to start work as early as 5a.m today.
The throbbing headache that i had since yesterday, which crossed over till the early hours of this morning was something i decided i did not want to ignore. So i shelved my planning of driving out early in the morning, and instead went for a work out, and i felt better and the headache just disappeared.
Please listen to your body mechanism, don't ignore persistent signs of pain or discomfort, it might be a way your body is telling you to take your legs off the gas pedals.
Health is wealth.

What the heck is Riders Code?

I did a uber pickup at the international airport some weeks back, and as my riders were in the car, i informed them that i wanted to start the trip. As i swiped to start the trip i got a message input Riders' code.... i was like this is the airport, cant even afford to park along the road, those airport towing guys can spring up from anywhere. Swiped again to start the trip, every-time i got a message to input rider's code, i now told my riders to please call the person who ordered the trip for them. The person who ordered the trip now provided a 4 digit code, which i promptly entered before i was able to start the trip.
Is this a new uber security feature available to all riders or specific class of riders?

I had an interesting conversation this week with a rider:

Me: Your bill for the ride is Nxxx
Rider: I will pay you less what your company(Bolt) owes me.
Me: I dont understand
Rider: I have a credit balance of Nxxx with your company
Me: I asked for further explanation:
Rider: One of your drivers owed me change, he pressed something on his phone and told me he has credited my account for my next trip.
Me: Sorry, you have been cheated
Rider: He did not cheat me, he only cheated himself
Me: You can report this issue to Bolt.

Mjosh1000:
Me nah 1yr and counting dem no even send me mssg nor alert me, I just dey drive dey go

With Bolt's (Nigeria) poor management structure, i wonder why they still charge drivers 15% commission for actually doing what?

No wonder policemen now readily scrutinize your papers, in the past once you tell the police that you are a uber/bolt driver, they simply let you pass.

izzou:
My license is still expired on their platform.


I still find it hard to believe Bolt started from Europe. They have all the qualities of a typical Nigerian low budget startup company

do you guys think bolt international are aware of what is going on in Nigeria, if they are fully aware Uche (in country Head of Bolt Nigeria) may be on his way driving one of dru's bullet proof civic!

DEGREE2466:
My first day bolt (Taxify) experience.

Got request at Anthony, went to pick rider.

Got to rider's pick up location and he entered my car.
.
Me; where to?

Rider; Sango Ota

Me: is that not Ogun state?

Rider : I don't know.


I started driving forgetting to start the trip

Remembered that along the way and parked by the side to start trip as my phone was not very close to me.

Rider started shouting that I am putting our life at risk by stopping along the road. I started the trip anyway.

There was massive traffic that I do not know when we can get to Ota.

64km into the ride, rider started shouting that I don't drive fast, that I should overtake the trailer even if it means bashing my car, that his money is burning bla bla bla,

The next thing, rider requested that I should cancel. I told him to allow me park well. He immediately opened the door and left.

I have already counted my loss when the guy opened my back door that he forgot his second phone.

I told him that the ride fare is N1700, rider threw N1000 at me and disappeared.

Should I come down and leave my car on the express road to pursue him?

I jejely turn back to my house to rest.

Fuel bought = N1500
Revenue = N1000

Net loss = N725 in tangible financial terms.

E go be for now until further notice.

You must develop the Agbero mentality to successfully drive on Bolt(Taxify).

1984och:
So because the 2 drivers refuse to fix the noise from their cars, which might not be their personal car, you decide to ignore the noise from ur own car! Even if it's not ur own personal car, pls fix it. Treat it like yours. That noise might degenerate to a bigger problem later, if you ignore it.

Trying to keep our car to uber internationally accepted spec, is a tough order, Lagos bad roads does not also help matter.
I used to spend so much time at the mechanic, to ensure there is no noise from the car while driving, even beyond the money spent, for drivers on hp or rental, spending so much time at the mechanic is also a big trade off between keeping the car to uber spec and meeting partners rental fee.
Even if your car creaks, some riders are very understanding, they see the conditions of Lagos roads.
I believe there should be a reasonable allowance for creaking, but when it becomes excessive, wait for your next maintenance so that you can have such issue fixed.
As long as the 5 stars are still popping in, it means your car is still within the allowable creaking limits .

Mjosh1000:
Even with the 25% uber still cares for drivers

I chopped one of Bolt's Morning Bonus this week, i cant remember the last time i chopped Bolt's bonuses... without Uber's promo and professionalism , Bolt would have maintained their often time unrealistic bonus scheme.

ediku208:
Uber just paid o
Gotten mine

same here

pope191:
You want make doctor com deh tell me big big English abi? *We r Africans*

Just for joke... But I'm done for d day, lemmi goan find where I'll have some nice time, tomorrow is another day

was able to log in just 4 trips, my 4th trip brought me close to my home and upon ending the trip, i got my 3% service notification from uber.

Thankful to Baba God for his mercies!

House when you pick your rider.
Rider: i am going to xyz, please avoid all routes where there are SARS!
Should you cancel the trip immediately?
Should you also report such incidence to uber/bolt?

pope191:
Very very important, got home yesterday and I can feel d cold and fever all over my body till dis moment, but here I am out here again (Dat tin dat use to push someone to put in more energy) . Made 6k5 already once its 10k, I'm on my way home straight to treat malaria, nothing concern me wit weekend bonus. I can not come and k*ll myself.

Has your doctor confirmed that you have malaria, have you done the necessary test?
See me pastor preaching mean while i am on my second dose of Lonart, treating what i believe is malaria (without going to the clinic), cant afford to be down for a day. Will try to do 5 trips today.
Don't want Mr President calling me a lazy Nigerian!
My empathy to does on rental or HP.
We work till we drop!

BAZ001:
Thank you.

I slept off twice on wheels today, though it was in festac traffic but I slept off forgot dt I was driving for few minutes. Na grand papa n mama I carry dem no code.
When car dey move again I dozed off na God save me say I no enter parked Trailer.
As I dropped dem I just pull over n slept.
Our body needs sleep.

Sometimes a chewing gum or kola nut could help until you get to ur drop off point.

mentro:
Please which do you advise he puts on rentage? And how much does an uber driver gross monthly averagely?

Camry. ... on average uber monthly earnings please scroll through all previous post, you will surely find your answer to this question.

mentro:
Hello guys, someone close lost is job yesterday, and I'm advising him to apply for uber or taxify. He has a neat Camry 2002 and Acura MDX 2003. Please can any of the car be accepted?

Sigh... all this while he never knew he was a potential employer of labour.... he can drive one and give out the other on rental.

bulalakoboko:
Hello brother, I lost my job today and want to start Uber and taxify. I have a corolla 2008 but I am a novice with lagos road because I don't drive out that much. My work is very close to my house and even my church so I hardly even drive my car. Please is it possible for me to use the Uber app to know where am going? Thanks as you help a brother.

Your doing uber should not stop you from searching for another job.
I will also advice you to seriously consider getting your PVC ...Permanent Visa to Canada.
Do your research online and you would be amazed how much you can earn as an uber driver overseas.

franksam2009:
I'm still wondering how posting earnings helps motivate anyone.
Lemme try reason/understand the way u do, are u tryna motivate car owners awaiting their weekly returns, or u tryin 2 motivate people already in d game(drivers),. Or maybe u tryna motivate commercial Banks to flood the streets with more cars?
If at this age you still Don't know the rules and concept of business, den u might probably remain poor forever

Posting great weekly earnings, could be altruistic to motivate drivers, malicious to show that drivers are taking partners for fools, sincere to show investors that the business still offers attractive return on investment and to show drivers that uber still pays (cautiously) acknowledging dru23



As a poster rightly says, when you post such fantastic earnings, showing your fellow drivers how you are able to strategically make such earnings in a week would be appreciated.
Do you decline certain trips to certain areas?
What are you favourite spots within the mainland and island for getting request?
Do you wait for rider (aka paid waiting) or cancel immediately when the rider is not yet ready?
How do you keep your car in tip top shape
Where you get your genuine spare part supplies from
The contact of your mechanic, because behind every successful uber driver is a good and competent mechanic. (please sharing your mechanic contact would not reveal your identity a good mechanic would probably have at least over 10 uber cars that s/he services)
Mistakes you have made in the past on the job and how newbies should be able to avoid them.
Car mileage in a week
Car maintenance schedule
Do you have an abundance of fat kola nuts in your car
Do you drink bulldozer on the job
Do you have any elixir that keeps you physically fit for the rigors of the job.

Posting great weekly earnings is not enough but the strategy to consistently achieve this earnings must be shared in order to assist other drivers to meet up their weekly remittance.

izzou:
Your advantage is that you own your car

[b]A rental driver cant take such decisions... What if it rains all day of the week?

But the floods are something else.... Taxify and uber should just permanently make everywhere red. That's the only soothing balm for we drivers. [/b]

Take a day off because of heavy rain, or enter flood and be forced to take a week off or more battling with various mechanical and electrical issues associated with flooding, while your mechanic, rewire, panel beater smile to the bank etc.
One of my car tyre was stuck in the gutter on one of the street at Ikeja Gra on Friday, because of heavy flooding, i did not know that there was a gutter already covered with water, as i was trying to move closer to pick up my passenger.
As they say experience is the best teacher.

Crvrider:
Are you suppose to do that?

Central lock pls.

Buynowautos:
What are the advantages of uber over Bolt?

Peace of mind!

Maax23:
were U block ? Cos I was just unblocked

Yes i was blocked by Bolt for low rating, ironically i currently have a 4.80 rating on uber.
I have never since i started my uber experience, asked any rider to rate me.
I give all my riders 5 stars, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
Bolt needs to improve their processes/app.

taxiappguy:
Hello everyone, I'm writing a post on what ride share companies should do better (in case they don't know).
If you have an opinion on the matter please comment as a reply to this post.
What changes would you like to see?
For instance, what do you think they should do in order for drivers to earn more? That sort of thing.
I appreciate your input in advance.
Thanks guys.

There is the FOI... Freedom of Information Act.
All we are saying is that uber should give us FOD.... Freedom of Destination
We should not be limited to only 2 destination choice within a day.

Why would Bolt want to disturb my Uber experience by unblocking me?
I just don't get it.

Seun360:
[b]Will never [/b]take a trip to that axis again.

Took 3hrs to get to Festac from Intercontinental hotel last thursday.

Took me 2hrs to return back to the Island.

Trailers block 3 routes, na under wan bridge wey link me to Mile 2 road i follow.

we expect your next festac experience sooner than later!

Cooladex:
Lol. been driving on uber alone for weeks until they tell me they re done with that promotion and taxify receives sense too

Sometimes I finish my 15 trips on tues and enjoy my 3% all through

Seems after getting on the 3% promo uber start pushing short trips your way.. I believe someone had earlier made this observation before. Hope uber promo is not a scam!

maclatunji:
The time is 2am in Nigeria. Have you registered for InDriver yet? The Russian e-hailing app making waves across Africa. Contact me on WhatsApp 08085404500 to get started.

2a.m. ...initiation things under the iroko tree.

franksam2009:
Don't take the risk o lol, if done wrong it's a big wahala.
Water and hydrogen peroxide will be pumped directly into ur injectors to wash engine internal components.
Prepare to buy a new catalyst sha

Thanks for the feedback!

What is decarbonization? This is the second time this process is being recommended for my car. I was informed that it will improve fuel efficiency.Guru in the house is it worth it?

izzou:
The only issue I see with higher rentals is that the car must suffer more

When a partner is putting a car for say 30k a week, the driver taking it is aiming to make like 60k that week. So if your rental is 40k, I'll have to work that car's ass off too

[b]The car suffers when rentals are increased.


My opinion too[/b]

...while your health improves!

igwedehxy:
hello guys. i just got a Toyota Camry 2005 a.k.a Big Daddy. i am thinking of:

1. giving it to a fleet management company
2. Putting it on higher purchase
3. putting it up strictly for rentals
4. or doin the Uber myself ( i dont really drive well and may have to go to driving school and obtain drivers liscense)

please someone should suggest wat will be the best investment plan for me.

i will appreciate ur inputs

OPTION A4 in Humphrey Nwosu's voice.