Singapore Expats

FYI only SPR and SC can drive for Uber. Some interesting observations;

1. IF you want to go places you never have been before; drive for Uber!

2. Google Maps sucks as a partner app - I'll switch to Waze.

3. I made $66 in four hours. IF I had stayed out to the wee hours I would have made much more as the surge pricing was hitting. I actually really like driving at night (cooler and less traffic) and the demand definitely picks up. However my fear of drunk vomiting offshore oil field trash (oh the irony) picks up after midnight.

4. ALL of my passengers included women. A lot of them on their own. Women and Uber are a thing and I think Uber should 100% capitalize on this with their planned panic button and security. The uber app should activate the drivers front facing camera as a security measure (even on time laps). As the night went on my passengers were drunker.

5. Most passengers are quiet, morose and clearly prefer the non human element of Uber. I can see automated driverless taxis taking off BIG time.

6. I met someone who works for my competitor (day time job). We had an interesting exchange of info.

7. Everyone was amazed to be driven by an Aussie accented ang moh. I had absolutely pleasant passengers; no aggro at all.

8. Will I do it again? Sure; beats sitting watching the goggle box for four hours. I used SMOVE and they have some locations near by (hint: book ahead - at least a week for a smove car).

PNGMK wrote:FYI only SPR and SC can drive for Uber. Some interesting observations;

Is it really worthwhile to go under rental car from Uber ?

I used an SMOVE. Much cheaper for one off short term. I know some guys who use Lion City for their uber / personal rental - it's a compromise for them so they have a car and can pay it off with earning.

PNGMK wrote:I used an SMOVE. Much cheaper for one off short term. I know some guys who use Lion City for their uber / personal rental - it's a compromise for them so they have a car and can pay it off with earning.

Oh. Let me look that up.

Interesting PNGMK, thanks for that.

chuck a u-ey and take me to farken pub ya carnt..

Will keep you in mind when I am back in SG next year. Please send me your contact. Thank you for sharing.

That reminds me, PNGMK, now that you're an insider, perhaps you know what the deal is, insurance-wise, when getting on an Uber? Are Uber passengers covered if and when there's a prang? It's proven impossible to get the skinny from Uber direct.

Max Headroom wrote:That reminds me, PNGMK, now that you're an insider, perhaps you know what the deal is, insurance-wise, when getting on an Uber? Are Uber passengers covered if and when there's a prang? It's proven impossible to get the skinny from Uber direct.

To drive for Uber as a DRIVER WE need commercial insurance (about $2000 a year). SMOVE provide it to Uber drivers as part of the car rental and LionCity the same I think. If you own your own car you need to arrange it and provide proof to Uber so that they set your car up in their database. To even go online with the Uber Driver app you have to pick or show in the app a car number that is approved and insured (i.e. a SMOVE on you have rented or a LionCity one or your own). Commercial insurance coves third party person and property (i.e. the riders).

Uber are trying to be as hands off and automated as possible and don't seem to want to open their books much.

That's real useful. Cheers, PNGMK.

Thought it was a bit weird how last week's article in the paper implied that insurance is more or less optional, rather than required.

Max Headroom wrote:That's real useful. Cheers, PNGMK.

Thought it was a bit weird how last week's article in the paper implied that insurance is more or less optional, rather than required.

Does Uber provide it? No. Does Uber insist you provide proof? Yes.

Noted.

PNGMK wrote: 3. I made $66 in four hours....

4. ALL of my passengers included women. ...

Did you make any tips/gratuity? What was ethnic mix of your passengers? Any Taxicab Confession (HBO) moments https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicab_Confessions?

$0.30 in tips for the whole night. A complete melting pot (except no Malays which didn't surprise me too much; they are struggling in this economy and a taxi ride is for emergencies or a luxury event). Lots of locals; not just foreigners. I think two girls were kissing / cuddling in the back (below the rear view mirror LOS); I ignored their actions. They had walked up hand in hand and left hand in hand. I felt a little sorry for them actually; it must be hard to be gay in Singapore. The funniest were three quite drunk Singapore ladies I picked up from the British club at the top of Swiss Link Road - they wanted to know how I got on with the security because you got here so fast. I told them he had ignored the guns and bombs in the boot because of my accent and 'ang moh' face and they spent the rest of the ride telling me funny stories from the club.

This has potential to be epic thread/blog!!! Singapore Taxicab Confession!!!