“Who’s available for rides?”

“I’m driving all day.”

“I have $40; I need a ride right now.”

These are typical posts in various Rochester Facebook groups where users seek and offer rides outside of Uber and Lyft to dodge high surge prices and fees that eat into drivers’ earnings. This trend is seen nationwide.

Discussions in these Facebook groups indicate that, even though Uber has implemented several measures to boost driver earnings, many drivers feel that the overall fare increase has not effectively improved their pay. Some drivers claim that the platforms take more than half of their earnings.

There are three primary aspects that impact what Uber drivers earn: trip fares, promotions for extra cash, and tips from passengers.

• Earnings differ based on location, city, and driving conditions. Fares are computed according to the duration and distance of the ride, and may include a base fare in certain cities.
• Drivers also have the option to engage in promotional events to boost their earnings.
• In February 2024, Uber published its fourth quarter and annual results for 2023. Following this, New York City drivers staged protests regarding low wage rates and lockouts.

We reached out to several drivers providing rides through these Facebook groups, but none were willing to discuss their views on the record.

While some drivers have managed to circumvent the traditional apps by offering rides on their own, this has raised safety concerns about riders booking trips with drivers who do not have a verification process.

Before they can start working, Uber and Lyft drivers are required to undergo verification and background checks. They must also adhere to the companies’ safety protocols and community rules designed to protect riders.