The middle and left segments from the image above, were captured early on a Saturday evening. It is a time of very high demand as people use Uber to head out for a night of fun. As you can see, there is a large amount of shading on the map in the left segment. The darker the shading (or the more red it gets), the higher the surge rate. The middle segment shows a zoomed in view showing different pay rates and the slight differences in shades of red.

During Saturday night peak times, it is quite common to be allocated rides at surge price rates. As a driver, you might think that a red map means you will get rides allocated instantly. This is not always the case, not all the passengers accept the surge pricing for their rides.

Some passengers are happy to pay higher rates because they want to leave right away and they often explain 'it's still cheaper than a taxi'. There are also those who wait for surge rates to subside, some will order a ride when the surge is lower, others will wait until it's gone completely.

Sometimes Uber surge pricing will be isolated to a specific area, as shown in the segment on the right. As a driver, it is tempting to drive toward the red zone to capitalize on the higher pay being offered. In my experience, this is not a good idea. In most cases the surge will disappear before you get there.

When there is an isolated surge, all the Uber drivers in the area can see the red zone on their maps and a lot of them will drive toward the red section on their maps. The surge in demand is quickly matched by a surge in supply.

Being allocated surge priced rides is great when it happens, but don't chase the surge prices. I found it's better to remain where you are and wait for the next ride to be allocated to you. If there is a surge near you, then it is likely that a lot of Uber drivers will drive away from your area to try and capture the surge rate. The supply of Uber drivers in your area will decrease, if you remain where you are, then you become more likely to get the next ride allocated near your current location.

Make More With Uber by Driving Efficiently

As an Uber driver, you are running your own business. You have complete flexibility to choose the times and areas you want to work in. While most of this post has focused on ways to earn a higher income with Uber, you can also maximize your returns if you control your expenses as much as possible. I am fortunate that my car happens to be in good condition and gets very good mileage. I can usually generate around $500 in revenue from a $60 tank of fuel. Wear and tear has not been an issue so far, I have not had any unexpected large bills from the mechanic

To make more per tank, Uber drivers should to avoid driving without a passenger. When I've dropped a passenger off, I do my best to find a nice shady spot nearby, then I park and wait for the next ride. It is tempting to drive back to a busy area (such as the CBD), but I want to avoid driving too much between rides, it just means that I am burning fuel without generating revenue. You will have to drive to collect your next passenger, but that is better than driving in circles without knowing when the next miles of revenue will be allocated

I usually reset my trip odometer when I refuel, so I can see how many KM I drive per tank. I recently refilled so I thought I'd measure my return per kilometer. After refueling, I remained online for 5 hours. In this time I drove 100.3 KM, and earned $111.83. That's $1.15 per KM, this includes driving between rides and my drive home after the last ride was completed. By parking in the shade, I am able to earn more than $1 per kilometer driven. I know that fuel costs me just under $1 per 10 KM. Using this technique I am keeping my fuel expense from driving Uber to less than 10% of my revenue generated.

Sitting in the shade waiting for ride can be boring, so it's a good idea to have some form entertainment in the car. I often take reading with me, and make sure to have a good collection of podcasts downloaded. I often park the car where I can get out and walk around. I make sure not to go too far from the car, and take the phone with me. That way I can stretch my body and get a bit of exercise all while being ready to accept the next ride when it comes through.

You can also make more with Uber if you drive smoothly. By this, I mean accelerate and brake as gently as possible. Your car burns more fuel if you accelerate harder, and your brakes and tires wear out faster if you stop too suddenly. If you let the car build up speed gently, then you will find yourself refueling less often. Better fuel efficiency means more money for Uber drivers.

Should You Drive With Uber

If you are looking for an opportunity to work for yourself, set your own hours, and make more than a casual or part time wage, then Uber could be a good option for you. As an existing Uber driver, I will get an incentive for referring new drivers, (if they join and complete 10 rides). If you'd like to be referred by the Finance Guy (and perhaps share your experiences in the comments section or on a future post), please Click here to Drive with Uber.

What Do You Need to Drive With Uber

Signing up for Uber was as simple as following the steps in their application. I had to show that my car was less than 9 years old, and could carry four passengers (with space for baggage in the back). I had to show that my criminal and driving records were in order, and I had to get a special charter extension on my drivers license. The process took around 3 weeks, and I spent less than $400 getting it all done. Once I was able to start earning with Uber, I recovered all the start up fees by the end of my second week (I only worked a few hours in the first week). I probably took longer than average to get set up because I spent a lot of time researching each step before completing it.

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