Uber Driver, 70, Makes Rs 23 Lakh by Deliberately Cancelling Rides: “I’m Absolutely Loving It!”

A 70-year-old Uber driver in North Carolina, United States, has earned an impressive amount of money by strategically cancelling rides. Known as “Bill,” the driver made over $28,000 (Rs 23.3 lakhs) by cancelling more than 30 percent of his trips in a year, according to a report by Insider.

Bill, who retired six years ago, started working part-time for Uber to earn extra income. However, he carefully selects the rides he accepts, ensuring they are worth his time. He revealed that the decrease in surge pricing in his area has led to a reduction in his driving hours. Previously, he used to work 40 hours a week, but now he works 30 hours due to the decrease in surge pricing.

Bill explained, “I spend a lot of time saying no. I don’t work unless we have a surge.” During the Covid-19 pandemic, he, along with other drivers, was able to make up to $50 per hour when some drivers had to temporarily stop driving due to health concerns. However, with an increase in the number of drivers, he now earns only $15 to $20 per hour.

To maximize his earnings, Bill employs various strategies. He positions himself in high-demand locations such as airports and bars during peak hours on Fridays and Saturdays, taking advantage of surge pricing. He shared, “When a plane lands and people request Ubers, the price jumps drastically. A 20-minute ride can go from $10 to $20 to $40 and sometimes $50. The driver receives just short of 50 percent, so a 35-minute ride can earn you $30 to $60.”

Bill also avoids “one-way rides” to prevent wasting time and money. He recalled a trip where he had to drive a customer to a remote location, approximately two hours away from his city. Although he received $27 for the journey, he had to drive back without any customers, essentially working for free.

However, these strategies come with risks. Uber warns that denying or cancelling trips based on the driver’s destination may result in losing access to their account. While Bill hasn’t experienced this himself, he has heard of drivers being barred from airport pickups for cancelling long trips. Drivers who cancel more frequently than 10 percent also lose access to the company’s rewards program, which offers perks like discounts at specific gas stations.

Despite the potential risks, Bill plans to continue with his game plan and only drive when he believes it will be financially beneficial. He emphasized that not relying on Uber for income is advantageous for him, stating, “I drive to get out and don’t need the money. I love it.”