Maximizing Uber Destinations

Everyone knows it's risky to mess with Uber's incentive program, one false move and you get kicked out with little chance of ever getting reactivated. I've been driving around for over a year now and I know what it takes to hit Gold on the payout, 15 hours on the road with a few snack breaks in between is no joke and is something I would reserve only for the most desperate of times. What you need to realize is that Uber is a global company that tends to implement programs uniformly across market areas, one program recently launched here in Manila is the Destinations feature. Although thorough research goes into each and every product launch, applying western fundamentals in this country will always be a challenge because of obvious cultural and system based reasons. This driver app feature is no exception, designed for carpooling, again a Western concept that many pinoys are reluctant to adapt, allows the driver to pin a destination of choice taking only riders headed the same direction.  Guess what? It doesn't work over here or shall I say it works to well and is perhaps the only element within their system that can be abused with impunity! Let me break down why:

1. Global Implementation. Since it works in other countries they're likely forced to implement the feature over here even with all the holes in it.

2. Traffic. I rarely get riders willing to Uber it for an entire 21 kilometres (ex. Caloocan to BGC). It simply doesn't make sense to shell out that much money just to crawl through Edsa making #3 possible.

3. Drivers Can Be Selective. Because of Manila traffic you can practically use Destinations all day accommodating only riders heading a certain direction. Once you drop a rider off you can turn back to get another one, repeating the same process until you get a rider that takes you straight to the location pinned on the app. In theory it goes against Uber's protocol to be selective but ironically this feature legally permits such activity which can be leveraged to optimize profit.

Just to be clear this tip isn't recommended for those chasing incentives since we all know that Destination trips do not count toward incentives but those looking to make easy call center grade money are gonna love this. So how much are we talking about? I'm in no way saying this will make you rich but if you do it right we're looking at the ballpark of 800-1,000 for 6 hours of driving.

If you'd like to share relevant thoughts, questions, or suggestions about this topic feel free to comment below. Uber on!

Uber Pool- Uber Fool

Our favourite ride-share service has now come up with the most brilliant plan to decongest the metro and it's called Uber Pool. How does this work you ask? In a nutshell if Uber Pool is selected, the rider gets matched with another rider going the same direction. This program provides a fixed amount along with a 25% discount which means that traffic or not a flat rate applies. Ever since its launch Uber Pool has had a mostly sour reception from both riders and partners let me enumerate why.

Riders:

1. it's a bit awkward to down right scary especially at night whenever someone you don't know enters the car and sits beside you at the backseat.

2. Riders run the risk of being late for work during the daytime since there's no telling how a match would impact the duration of a trip. Unlike elsewhere, here in Manila taking a U-turn to reach a subdivision on the other side of the road could take forever!

Partners:

1. We don't get paid for extra time stuck in traffic.

2. We get deducted 35% total for every Uber Pool trip matches included. To break it down that's the 25% plus the Uber fee of 10%.

3. Uber Pool uses Uber X cars, I'm personally reluctant filling up my G4 to its capacity since it bottoms out on humps with all the weight. I imagine other cars running into the same issues since many X belong to either the sub-compact or mini-car category.

Uber has put in quite a huge effort trying to promote this feature and the most recent announcement from the LTFRB halting new TNVS applications is definitely a huge setback. This means that the company is put in a position that forces them to abandon their process of simply replacing uncooperative partners with new applicants. With more and more partners getting bolder about declining Pool requests I feel that this feature will die a natural death sooner rather than later.

The Reason why the MMDA NCA Policy won't work

I recently noticed on Twitter that the MMDA is re-implementing the No Contact Apprehension scheme,

 

Official MMDAVerified account‏@MMDA

REMINDER: Check if your car has been caught under No Contact apprehension via http://MayHuliBa.com . Database updated 6.06.16. #mayhuliba

now this sounds all nice and first worldly but I have a problem imagining how efficiently this can be rolled-out in a country such as ours. Why am I so cynical about this? Well let's see... Jeepneys! Seems like I'm straying a bit here but the point is you don't need hi-tech cameras to observe the blatant rule breaking committed by the drivers of these scrappy contraptions everytime you hit the road. Red lights beaten (all the time), traffic obstructed (while loading/unloading in the middle of the road), headlights are never on at night just to point out a few infractions- only the Pope knows how they get away with it!? I hope to be proven wrong but rudimentary deduction tells me that this "hi-tech" innovation is just meant to create a semblance of progress in order to get the occasional "pat on the back" from the media. Worst part of this is that the burden would again be shouldered by the tax paying community aka. apprehension of private vehicles. To sum it up technology can only enhance the government's ability to do their job question is how sincere are they in making the system work?

Anyhoo, personal feelings aside.. as an FYI to all my readers, I've pasted below the guidelines of the No Contact Apprehension policy courtesy of the MMDA website:

 1. What is the No Contact Traffic Apprehension Policy?

The No Contact Traffic Apprehension is a policy that utilizes CCTV, digital cameras and/or other gadget or technology to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic laws, rules and regulations.

   2. What is its coverage?

The No Physical Contact Apprehension covers the apprehension of violators in areas within Metro Manila that are covered by MMDA CCTV cameras.

3.   Will the policy rid Metro Manila roads of MMDA Traffic Enforcers?

No. It was conceptualized to supplement the presence of MMDA Traffic Enforcers. Aside from the fact that there are still places not covered by CCTVs, the No Contact Traffic Apprehension was designed to catch moving violations, thus leaving the apprehension of administrative offenses to MMDA constables.

4.   How will the No Contact Team know about the records of the vehicle?

The MMDA No Contact Apprehension Team will search for the motor vehicle records of violators in coordination with LTO.

5.   If I’m the registered owner and the current owner hasn’t processed the vehicle’s transfer of registration yet, will I still be penalized for a violation I did not commit?

The first notice shall require the owner of the vehicle to identify its driver at the time and place indicated in the notice and his/her address. It is the responsibility of the current owner to have the vehicle registered under his/her name. If a previous owner receives the Notice, he or she may file a protest at the MMDA Traffic Adjudication Division and show a notarized Deed of Sale as evidence, as well the name and address of the current owner.

6.   How will the MMDA send the Summon to violators?

Notices shall be sent thru personal service by MMDA Personnel, registered mail or courier services through government or private service providers.

7.   What if the violator refuses to receive the Notice?

Traffic violators who refuse to receive or accept the notice issued to them without any valid reason shall be deemed to have received it by leaving a copy and submission of an affidavit of service or report attesting the refusal of the violator to acknowledge receipt of the Notice.

8.   Within how many days should a driver settle his/her violation under this policy?

Payment of fines and penalties shall be made within seven days upon receipt of the first notice to any authorized accredited payment centers unless a protest is filed before the MMDA TAD, in which case, the fines as finally adjudicated shall be paid at the Collection Division of the MMDA Central Office.

9.   Where should I pay to settle my violation?

   The violator may pay either in the MMDA Main Office or in any branch of MetroBank.

10.  If I don’t agree with the violation given to me, how do I contest it?

The First Notice contains a statement that the traffic violator shall have the right to file a protest before the MMDA-Traffic Adjudication Division or TAD within seven days from receipt of the Notice, and that failure to do so within the prescribed period shall be seen as a waiver of such right to contest the violation or present evidence as a defense.

Within fifteen days from receipt of an adverse TAD resolution, the driver may file a Motion for Reconsideration. Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the denial of the Motion for Reconsideration, the driver may file an appeal at the Office of the Chairman where the Decision shall be final and executory.

If no protest is filed within the 7-day prescriptive period and the fines remain unpaid, a Final Notice to settle the violation shall be issued.

11.   What will happen if I don’t pay at all?

If a violator fails to settle the assessed fines or penalties from the receipt of the Final Notice, the vehicle license plate number shall be included in the Alarm list and be reported to the LTO with a request that its registration not be renewed until the penalties or fines are fully settled.

6 things you need to know before your next Uber ride

Having been an active partner of Uber as a driver- operator for the past 4 months I have managed to jot down a list of a few things a rider might be interested in knowing before hailing their next Uber ride. Having had my share of on the job experience doesn't make me an expert but it does provide some useful insights that might prove helpful in bridging rider- driver expectations.

1. The Uber driver has no idea where you're going before the trip starts. Starting the trip means you are already inside the vehicle and the driver has already slid the "Start Trip" button on his Uber App. Technically speaking the Driver should be amendable to any trip within Metro Manila but experienced drivers may opt to inquire about the destination to eliminate the risk of getting out of coverage requests. Trip requests going to Cavite, Bulacan, or Laguna are not uncommon, although there are drivers that may routinely accept these requests, they do so at their own risk since Uber's insurance does not cover the mentioned areas.

2. Are drivers allowed to cancel trip requests? The short answer to this is yes. To be specific, if a certain trip request does not meet any of Uber's guidelines the driver may cancel the trip even before it officially starts. A few common examples of this would be- if the number of passengers exceed the vehicle's capacity, if the rider pins the wrong pick-up point, if the rider is not at the pick-up point within 5 minutes of the driver's arrival, etc. I'm not certain if this entails monetary deductions from the rider's card so I'd love to hear any insight regarding this subject.


3. Many Uber drivers are newbies to the business. Some are even so new to driving visibly demonstrating difficulty negotiating narrow subdivision roads. Despite this the only training the driver ever receives is on how to use the Uber app. wherein Waze is also incorporated. Although Waze can be a powerful app. in avoiding traffic, it sometimes provides impractical re-routing just to avoid a pocket of traffic that hardly affects travel time. As painful as it may sound, Waze is the heart and soul of the Uber driver's navigation skill, so it wouldn't hurt if the rider can lend a helping hand especially if he/ she sees that Waze is showing unnecessary twists and turns along the way.

4. Just like drivers, the rider also has an Uber rating.

After having casual conversations with several riders I noticed that many were surprised to find out that they too are rated after every trip. Apparently the rating doesn't appear on the rider app but I've read an article that the rider may send an email to Uber to request for his/ her rating. If you're wondering if this information is visible to the Driver, it most certainly is although I have my doubts whether drivers here in Manila are utilizing this feature since it's never mentioned in any group discussion I've seen online. To me personally a rating of below 4.5 stars is a red flag indicating the possibility of a challenging trip. In my experience low ratings beget low ratings so chances are I'll pass on it in the interest of maintaining a high score.

5. Does Uber cover the Rizal area? Not entirely, Uber covers select areas of the following localities: Cainta,Taytay, San Mateo, and Antipolo with a surcharge of 60 Php on top of the regular fare. This is a fairly new initiative so I'm also a bit vague on the actual boundaries but perhaps the map and FAQ's on this site can provide more in-depth information on the topic.

6. Surge is not based on traffic. Lastly I'd like to debunk the popular belief that the severity of traffic is the basis of surge rates. No it's not! According to Uber's avp  (audio visual presentation) during on- boarding the law of supply and demand determines the highs and lows of surge prices. While a huge traffic jam can certainly contribute by rendering people stranded I have also observed prices go up at 3 am simply due to the sparse supply of Uber units.