As 5 Bay Area counties implemented “shelter in place” orders this week, and California Governor Gavin Newsom extended that order and announced a statewide “stay at home” order Thursday, ride share volume plummeted to 20% of normal through Friday.
Last weekend was already terrible for business but I kept thinking the work week would be better because people might want to avoid mass transit. I wasn’t imagining all those potential riders would be working from home this week.
Incredibly, neither Lyft or Uber clarified for drivers whether ride share qualified as an exception to either order.
My assumption based on experience taking thousands of riders to doctors appointments, stores, and pharmacies was that driving met the intent of an exception to the order. So I dispatched daily and returned 10 hours later looking like an Alaska fisherman with nothing but empty nets.
Alarmingly, revenue in 5 days is $700 short of my worst week in a year – meaning there is no money for a car payment, insurance, or even a little something for my youngest son’s birthday who turned 20 this week. Two of five days I actually lost money for even trying, as the distance was great (15-20 minutes drive) just to get to the rider’s pick up, and then I was paid a minimal $2.25-$2.75 for their short trips. You don’t make up for that problem with volume either.
$150 for 5 days and 50 hours of work, less $70 in gas nets a driver $80 … less than $2 an hour….and that $80 has to cover 15 meals and all other expenses and bills. A bit unsustainable.
Still, people in worse need were served, and the elderly or blind riders I drove got to important check ups. Humanity 100 / Driver 10. It’s alright.
Thank goodness for old friends though! Classmates, fraternity brothers and dear friends for 40 years caught wind of what was happening and a number of them helped with a very timely Venmo gift.
So we move forward, conserve, prioritize, communicate with creditors, and serve as many others as I can next week.
Ride confidently. Coachman.
Driving the Daisy's 