This month I have reached the milestone of my 1000th ride for a ride share company in Chicago. Things with my job weren't working out after the medical visits I had to bring my girlfriend to. It was literally a situation beyond anyone's control. Companies set high standards for their employees and it is rare to find a company to offer exceptions. After doing some research on Indeed and Careerbuilder I come across the mouth watering offer from a Lyft driver on how to make up to $35 an hour driving for Lyft in Chicago. The link also offered a "bonus of $500" for new drivers so of course I did all the paperwork online to sign up.
Driving for a ride share company has some pros such as meeting some amazing people. But the turn downs are so many. The market in my opinion requires regulation so that the city isn't overcrowded with drivers. The job is risky, you will avoid being hit by reckless drivers occasionally. Some passengers will raise their voice and make fun of you. On purpose I had people smother the seats with chocolate with no support from the help desk paying the cleaning out of my pocket. The fares are so low. $0.20 a minute plus $0.60 a mile. National statistics demonstrate that the cost of ownership of a car varies from $0.53 mile to $1.35. Some days are very slow. You can be in rush hour driving and if there is no surge, you are loosing money with the traffic. Nights and weekends are overcrowded with drivers. Some Friday nights I have driven 9 hours to bring home $52 - gas. I have replaced an alternator and radiator so far and the breaks in my car are now worn out. Water pump is also knocking and the struts seem to have had their share of city driving. While the IDEA might be tempting. I will not reccomend driving for any rideshare company to anyone. You will be loosing money and I find it irresponsible to try to do so for too long or your family will be following your mistakes decision making. Never got my $500 bonus as they promised. Was offered only $20.
Yours Truely,
Rideshare Driver that hasn't paid rent in four months with car problems.