Your reputation is a precious thing. Get a bad one and it can hang around your neck like an albatross for a long time… especially if you are an Uber driver.
Uber, the app-based taxi-hailing service, uses passenger reviews to give you an idea of what each Uber driver is like. Ultimately, each driver ends up with a star rating out of five. Of course, if you find yourself with a low rating then people are not going to want to use your cab.
With that, we thought we would help get you to that all important five-star rating with a list of things you should avoid doing whilst behind the wheel of your Uber cab.
DON’T listen to satanic death metal
Okay, if you are picking up metal band Behemoth then this is probably okay, but what are the chances of that?
Having music playing is by no means a bad thing, but it is something that should be approached with caution. Try to avoid playing aggressive music or particularly niche genres like Japanoise (which will blow your mind, look it up) as it can be annoying and make passengers feel uncomfortable. Want a safe bet? Go for Classic FM.
DON’T leave dirty washing and banana peels on the seats
A cleaner car is a comfier car. Even if you get a lift off a friend, sitting in a messy car is not nice. So imagine how you would feel if you had to pay for a ride in a taxi that felt like a wheelie-bin.
Try and keep your cab as clean as possible. Even if your passengers end up leaving rubbish in the cab, it is still your responsibility to keep your cab clean. An air-freshener is always a good idea, too.
DON’T be argumentative
Taxi banter can be brilliant - “You see the game last night?”, “What was that David Cameron thinking?” but there is a fine line between discussing and arguing. Try to be welcoming to your passengers, ask how their day was maybe.
If a topic comes up, try and make pleasant conversation, but avoid controversial issues if possible and don’t get sucked into a heated debate, because before you know it, you are ranting. There is a time and place for that sort of thing.
DON’T mod your car like a boss
Car modifications can look awesome. On a taxi however, they tend to look a tad uncouth. For many, a taxi acts as a safety blanket, helping avoid things like the train and the bus. Certain modifications, like a bonnet scoop, massive rear spoiler and neon lights, can come across quite intimidating.
Do you really think someone is going to feel comfortable in a car that looks like it’s about to be involved in a gang shooting? Nope.
DON’T stop off and grab a burger
We all feel the need to grab a bite to eat, pick up the local paper or nip to the loo every now and then when we are driving. Just don’t do it while you have a customer in your car. Not only is it impolite to make them wait, but you don’t want Uber’s taxi metre accidently overcharging someone because you had to make a detour for personal reasons.
DON’T eat the burger whilst driving
Okay, so let’s say you have ignored the above rule. If you have food with you in the car, refrain from eating it until it’s your lunch time.
It can be rather annoying watching someone contort themselves in and around a steering-wheel while eating food. Plus, safety wise, surely as the driver, you should be concentrating fully on the road ahead.
DON’T bicker with the in-laws over the phone
Ever been sat in the back seat of a car whilst the two sat up-front are arguing? Well, this is kind of like that. Passengers do not want to be privy to your quarrelsome relationships. And arguments aside, they probably don’t want to hear you having a laugh over the phone with your friend either.
DON’T go the long way round
Ah yes, the age old taxi driver dispute. As a taxi driver of any kind, you should try your best to get your customer from A to B as efficiently as possible. If you rip them off and take the long way around, then they will naturally be annoyed. I mean, how would you feel?
DON’T drive like you are playing Mario Kart
On the subject of picking the shortest and quickest route, don’t forget, safety is also key. Being sat in a taxi with a driver who runs red lights, cuts people up in traffic and mounts the kerb can be terrifying.
DON’T let the clock run, and run, and run…
One of the biggest complaints with Uber customers is that their driver does not accurately engage/disengage the taxi metre when they are supposed to. The fare for the journey should start when you leave your destination and end when you arrive. If there is anything in-between that is not technically part of the journey, then you shouldn’t be charging your passenger for it.