I have been a long -time user of Uber as a Rider.
To my perspective it has been interesting to watch as a sparkling fresh 'first world idea' begin its slow assimilation into my rather more third-world country.
It should be expected that it would undergo many changes in that assimilation. Indeed it has, and many have not been pretty. In a nutshell I would say that I've watched this system, grow and progress forwards, only for it to gradually about turn and begin driving backwards.
Grievances - Inadequacies for drivers
No work no pay. There are many reasons why drivers work long hours, however there is little support for a break of any kind, luxuries such as visiting distant (local) family are particularly unaffordable.
No data support. With previously available data support no longer available and exorbitant local data rates cutting into driver margins, it leaves some riders wondering if GPS tracking
Diminishing returns. Fuel prices will keep rising, arguably as long as there is fuel, not much can be done about this, but its certainty should be built into Uber's model, which should accommodate for this not accentuate it.
Abuses
Rented slots
Car syndicates
Harsh Targets. With zero regulation on negotiations, drivers often take home between 20 and 40% of each fare.
Violence against Uber drivers. This could and should be several entire articles, conclusively though, drivers are definitely killed in small and consistent numbers for daring to call themselves Uber drivers in my country. There is very little being done about this... Its hard to sum up how horrific this is, suffice to say, one of the favored means is burning.
Challenges
Issues with reciepts
Is this receipt sufficient??
The Solution.
Due to there being an actual technical issue with the receipts, not reflecting promotions, I believe the best way to open a dialogue with Uber is on the topic of "broken receipts".
After explaining the issue, I would suggest that a demand be made to increase the clarity on the receipt. For instance. As a rider I want to see what the owner is taking, what the driver is taking, and what Uber is taking, for each trip, expressed as units of local currency.
In addition, a confidential reporting feature should be included for drivers, in case they notice that the numbers on the receipt are not what they are actually getting from the owner. In that case Uber can follow up.
Not sure how coherent my points actually are. But lets not be all talk, thats why I proposed a solution.
This topic is perhaps too close to my heart, and it took me a while to draft even this simplistic document.
Massive shout out to Steemits drafing functionality which assisted me to keep this post in draft form for several weeks, as I got kind of blocked while drafting it.
Any way. Help me to make a difference by reading this and if you feel emotive, or have any questions let me know!!
But on a serious note, would conditions like this be acceptable in the Germany's and United States of this world?
Is this just "they way it is"? are uber drivers the world over working as long as possible and at times struggling to make ends meet, no vacation in sight?
Anyway.
I'm glad this is hitting the block chain. Perhaps parts of this article can be referenced in other discussions in the future, in addition, it could serve as a barometer for improvements. There had better be improvements.
DigitalPnut
