Taxi Driver Online

Glasgow Uber drivers protest as they feel 'forced' to work up to 100 hours a week


A group of drivers gathered in the city

Uber drivers in Glasgow gathered in the city to protest the 'long working hours' and the 'unsustainable' fare prices.

The group claim that they are on the road for up to 100 hours a week which has caused their mental health to plummet. The reason they are working the long hours is due to customers being charged 0.97p a mile after the first mile whilst other competitors charge £1.70 a mile.

Drivers are calling on the company to raise the prices of journeys to ensure that those working under the Uber banner can make a living wage. The group is also asking for the on-demand taxi giants to review their current app system which has allegedly logged some drivers out for 72 hours at random points, causing a loss of revenue.

A spokesperson for the protestors said: "In the current climate, our fare prices are unsustainable, forcing many drivers to work long hours every day and every week. Some drivers report working up to 100 hours per week, which is detrimental to mental health and safety.

"When we look at Uber's competitors, they charge £1.70 per mile after the first mile, whereas Uber drivers are getting paid approximately only 0.97 pence per mile after the first mile. This is particularly concerning when considering that fuel costs are around £1.66 per litre.

"We are calling for a fair adjustment of our rates to match competitors and the inclusion of a fixed airport rate in the app. Competitors often receive £30-£35 for rides from the city center to the airport, while Uber drivers typically earn just £12 for the same trip.

"Furthermore, Uber's treatment of drivers is in question, with instances of drivers being logged off the app for 72 hours without clear explanations, often due to Uber's own system issues. This results in lost earnings during that period. We demand a review of this process and pricing, and we urge Uber to engage in productive discussions with driver representatives.

"As drivers, we are struggling to make ends meet, with household bills and high Uber fees that can take up to 40% of our earnings. Additionally, we have car rental fees to contend with. All these factors force us to work 70-80 hours per week just to get by. It's time for Uber to address these issues and work towards a fair and sustainable solution for all drivers."

Uber have been contacted for comment.

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IDFIMH

Yet another way to describe Uber and imply it's something new and different, but actually just demonstrating that it's nothing of the kind. I mean, even ignoring the t-word, which pre-booked service isn't 'on demand'


Why not go and work for the competitors, then?

Thus I suspect the figures are exaggerated. In fact, the 'competitors' may well be HCs, and the money they're getting may be due to 'boundary charges' - the airport is outside the city council area.

(Had a couple from Glasgow in the car the other night complaining about how much some HCDs are charging for cross-border runs these days, particularly late at night when there's a huge shortage of cars...)

Another thing that gets on my wick is the use of the words 'ride share'.

At no time are these rides being shared.

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IDFIMH

And 'ride-hailing' as well. I mean, by definition you can't hail a PHV.

And are old-style PH operators also 'ride-hailing'?

But at least the 'experts' dumped the term 'sharing economy' a few years ago.

Maybe they worked out why actually owns the average HC or PHV, and it's not ABC Cars, or maybe that ride-hailing/on-demand 'taxi' giant ABC Cars

Actually, I thought the 'ride share' thing was related to shared 'taxibus' style vehicles which Uber offers (or at least did offer, although even if it's still around, it's very much a niche part of their business).

But 'ride share' was then misapplied to the whole thing, just because some experts and journalists start using the term, and others do likewise, because they think that's the proper terminology, and makes it sound like they know what they're talking about.

Actually, I suspect 'ride share' derives from the whole 'sharing economy' thing that was around when Uber first appeared on the scene. The 'sharing economy' was all about people using their own car via Uber to offer a 'taxi' service.

So maybe that changed from 'sharing economy' to 'ride share', and is hence more about who owns the vehicle rather than who's hiring it

But who knew that people like ye and me were working in the 'sharing economy' and the 'gig economy' since before the turn of the century? Certainly not the 'experts'

there is always a choice uber can't force a 100 hour week only encourage you to choose a 100 hour week.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

very simple solution to the airport price problem

every time they offer you a 12 quid airport job,return the job,if every 12quid run gets refused by every driver and they will soon get the message and up the price to get the work covered

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i started out with nothing and ive still got most of it left