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Lyft with Express worth it?

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Trees73Fu
33
 Posted 5 years, 7 months ago
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Do you have questions for your Uber anad Lyft drivers? What about tips and suggestions? Whether you are a driver or a rider, share your comments here and get responses from real rideshare drivers.


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Oliver Fu (Trees73Fu)
33
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Hi people! I just joined because I'm thinking of doing Lyft through the Express Hertz program in Portland, since I don't have a car. I hear the rental fees are waived when you complete 75 rides in a week. Who else has done it? Is there anything else I should know before starting? And approximately how many hours would it take to make 75 trips a week? (I know it depends on a bunch of factors, just want a ballpark figure). 

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TonyAlmeida
1149 Rider

I did the same exact plan in LA in 2016 before I purchased a car for UberX.  I assume what you are considering is similar.  It was like $210 a week for rental but they waive that if you reach 75 trips within a week.  I remember it including mileage, standard maintenance, liability coverge, etc.  

My advice?  I don't know the deal now in Seattle, but make sure to look at the fineprints.  There are clauses like:

  • You have to maintain a 90% (?) acceptance rate.   (I don't know if you do.)  This can be tough, if you want to cherry pick your rids.  Sometimes, depending on circumstances and the way you want to drive, it can be difficult.  I am sure you will meet it, but it will take away a bit of freedom on how you will run your Uber-driving business.  Just remember that.
  • Hidden Fees: You have to put down a big deposit, and I believe they still charge fees and taxes, and they don't waive those.  I remember having a bill even after completing 75 rides. 
  • Make sure liability insurance is included. Even if it is, remember that it's the bare minimum insurance Uber requires.  (It basically only covers when you are driving passengers.  If you are driving around looking for a fare, you won't be.)  If you are driving 75 rides a week, I strongly suggest getting a rideshare insurance and comprehensive for your own car damage.   ..and yes, that is yet additional expense.

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ippei
1202 Rider Driver Guru

Great discussions going on here.  All great advice.   Here are some relevant articles from RideGuru

Getaround: Is Renting A Car For $5 an Hour to Drive for Uber Worth It?

What about peer-to-peer car rentals?

Uber Rent - Drive stranger's cars AirBnB style! Would you rent your car for $5 an hour?

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    TonyAlmeida
    1149 Rider
     5 years ago

    I did the same exact plan in LA in 2016 before I purchased a car for UberX.  I assume what you are considering is similar.  It was like $210 a week for rental but they waive that if you reach 75 trips within a week.  I remember it including mileage, standard maintenance, liability coverge, etc.  

    My advice?  I don't know the deal now in Seattle, but make sure to look at the fineprints.  There are clauses like:

    • You have to maintain a 90% (?) acceptance rate.   (I don't know if you do.)  This can be tough, if you want to cherry pick your rids.  Sometimes, depending on circumstances and the way you want to drive, it can be difficult.  I am sure you will meet it, but it will take away a bit of freedom on how you will run your Uber-driving business.  Just remember that.
    • Hidden Fees: You have to put down a big deposit, and I believe they still charge fees and taxes, and they don't waive those.  I remember having …

    Read more...

    I did the same exact plan in LA in 2016 before I purchased a car for UberX.  I assume what you are considering is similar.  It was like $210 a week for rental but they waive that if you reach 75 trips within a week.  I remember it including mileage, standard maintenance, liability coverge, etc.  

    My advice?  I don't know the deal now in Seattle, but make sure to look at the fineprints.  There are clauses like:

    • You have to maintain a 90% (?) acceptance rate.   (I don't know if you do.)  This can be tough, if you want to cherry pick your rids.  Sometimes, depending on circumstances and the way you want to drive, it can be difficult.  I am sure you will meet it, but it will take away a bit of freedom on how you will run your Uber-driving business.  Just remember that.
    • Hidden Fees: You have to put down a big deposit, and I believe they still charge fees and taxes, and they don't waive those.  I remember having a bill even after completing 75 rides. 
    • Make sure liability insurance is included. Even if it is, remember that it's the bare minimum insurance Uber requires.  (It basically only covers when you are driving passengers.  If you are driving around looking for a fare, you won't be.)  If you are driving 75 rides a week, I strongly suggest getting a rideshare insurance and comprehensive for your own car damage.   ..and yes, that is yet additional expense.

    Read less...
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    BGraft89
    622 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    75 will be at least 4 days, and that's if you are very good and know what you are doing.  They are looking for drivers who are willing to go out there every day, pretty much.

    Here's my warning to you.  You will really need to comit, and that's the lifestyle you will be committing to.  It's fine if you are ready, but remember that one of the benefits of driving an Uber is flexibility and working when you want to.  This Express program basically takes that freedom away.

    I always suggest to my friends to ease into driving for Uber or Lyft.  Try it out for a few hours at a time.   See how it will work for you. 75 times is jumping in with both feet.  Many drivers end up burning out when driving for too many hours

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    BrianTheScrewDriver
    457 Driver Driver
     5 years ago

    You will be stuck doing lots of small trips, and remember us drivers HATE doing that. With the 75 rides looming, you will choose to work in cities where the trips are shorter. Then you end up paying a much bigger chunk of your fare because of the booking/service fee.  People also tip very little on those shorter rides.

    Where you make the most money is those longer drives. That's where the money is, say trips from the airport to a town 45 minutes away.  Those weekend travelers, for example.  Short trips are the people going 4 minutes from their house to work because it is raining and they didn't want to take the bus. Yuck.

    This is Uber's ploy to get a group of drivers who are willing to cover those short rides.  There you have it.

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    AsStibelDude
    669 Driver
     5 years ago  (edited 5 years ago)

    I feel it's another way Uber/Lyft is trying to confuse us in order to make more money.

    I did this in Boston a few years back.  Remember the pressure of accepting 90% of requests in order to qualify.  Imagine getting pings for 20~30 minutes away, and you are FORCED to accept them.

    Also, when I did it, you needed certain number of prime time hour driving, which adds to the stress.  I believe the program is still very much the same.

    Having your own car is well worth it though.  It was nice having a much newer car and being able to use it for personal use.

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    ippei
    1202 Rider Driver Guru
     5 years ago
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    EjiEzeEze
    324 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    75 trips?  It's pretty much a fulltime job.  Expect to drive AT THE LEAST 40 hours, but probably more.  50~ hours?  

    See, it depends.  Some parts of the week are busier than others. (say weekends) Some parts of the day are slower than others. (say mid morning or mid-afternoon)   So if you carefully choose the hours you work, I bet you can get 75 rides in 25~30 hours.  However, you will most likely be on the road and "working" more than that between those busier parts.

    Imagine.  If you work the 7:00~9:00AM, then 12:00~1:30, and then 5:30~7:00.  Those are busy times...what's that, 5 hours?   I bet you can get 4~5 rides an hour in a city with many short trips.  The catch?  Whatcha gonna do between those windows? You will be waiting around through those slower times. :)

    So in short, to get 75 trips within a week, you are looking at a fulltime job, where you will be on the road at least 5 days a week.  At least that's my opinion.

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    LG-PA
    810 Driver
     5 years ago

    I seem to remember therideshareguy had a post fairly recently comparing different rental options to drive for rideshare to see if it makes sense - see if you can find that post on their blog

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    Trees73Fu
    OP 33
     5 years ago
    Doing my application and seeing this:
    express: ~$209.
    + $170 per week bonus
    When you give 105 rides
    With 40 of those rides during peak hours
    + $110 per week bonus
    When you give 85 rides
    With 35 of those rides during peak hours
    + $70 per week bonus
    When you give 70 rides
    With 30 of those rides during peak hours
    link  | reply
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    StuffinMuffin
    864 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    I drive only on Friday and Saturday nights, and I can get about 20~30 rides in those short hours.   Remember those are the busy times though. 

    Do you know what else?  You can make majority of your weekly earnings on just those days. It can equate to earnings for the rest of the week combined.  (in other words, you can make half your earning on Friday and Saturday)

    The thing about these plans is that you won't be able to do that.  

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    CWalcutt75
    259 Driver
     5 years ago

    Commitment for a fulltime gig is often hard for a Lyft driver, and you will sacrifice flexibility with this. If you go with renting, you will lose some plays in the Lyft driver playbook. 

    There are lots of styles of play in Uber and Lyft driving.  

    • Only driving the weekends.  Drive 8 hours Friday night and 8 hours Saturday night, and you can make as much as a driver who drove all weekdays.  It's that lucrative and some people only work those hours.
    • Let's say you have to drop off a friend at the airport an hour away.  You are wasting gas on the way back.  but with Uber?  You may be able to get a fare on the way back. 

    BTW, I have gotten 50 rides driving only weekends.  not sure if you can get 75.  I doubt it.  On the flipside, I think I can definitely say you are giving up one of your weekends unless you are good right out of the gate.

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