When I visited San Francisco last year, I used taxi service Uber for the first time in my life.
I ordered a driver via the Uber-app on my smartphone, got into a Toyota Camry only four minutes after I ordered it,
and an Uber-chauffeur drove me and a girl from Texas to the airport.
And, I only paid $15. A conventional cab service would've charged me $65!
I was completely hooked, it's a brilliant concept.
But still, there's a strange vibe around Uber, not only in the Netherlands, but in Europe as well.
The private version UberPOP was forbidden, the tax authorities raided the headquarters in Amsterdam,
and the rise of the Uber-phenomenon has caused quite some commotion in the taxi market.
That's why I've decided to jump into the Uber-world. I'm going to learn to be an official Uber-driver.
What does it take, what kind of things are we going to see, but most importantly: where is it going to get me?
So, it's going to be quite the adventure, and we're going to experience it all aboard this Jaguar XE.
When you want to become an Uber-driver, being a normal civilian without any taxi experience,
isn't a problem at all.
That's because there's a specific course you can follow.
You can apply at Uber, and they'll teach you what it takes to be an Uber-driver.
That's also what you guys are going to see in the coming episodes.
But, before we go out and play an Uber-driver, I reckon it'd be nice to give some insight on the situation around Uber.
That's why I'm driving through Amsterdam to the Uber HQ, to pick up my first passenger.
Hey Marco! - Hello Roland
Good morning sir! You're my very first Uber-customer!
- Well, thanks. Awesome!
Welcome aboard the Jaguar XE.
I have to admit, I'm a little bit nervous!
Right Marco, you're working for Uber in the Netherlands. What's it you do exactly?
That's right, I'm in charge of Uber's operations in the Netherlands.
Okay, that means you're quite busy, especially when you're looking at the growth of Uber.
- Yes. Where does Uber operate nowadays?
Well, Uber is active in the big four cities, so that's Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague,
- Yeah. And that means you can use the app in those cities
but it also means that there are drivers available. We're also looking for drivers in those cities.
And how many drivers do you guys have at this moment?
There are hundreds of drivers available on a daily basis. We can see the people really appreciate a product like Uber.
That's because of the accessibility of the app, but also because of the low rates we charge.
We can see people use Uber more often than they did with normal taxi's.
Can you give a indication how many Dutch people use Uber, seen on a weekly basis?
That's quite difficult to say to be completely honest, but it goes beyond thousands.
And why would you, being a normal mortal being, change your career into being an Uber-driver?
The great thing about driving for the Uber-platform, is that everybody could do it.
It's also very flexible, so you can combine it with your current job.
If you got the time, you'd be one in about four to six weeks.
But, there are quite a lot of taxi's driving around here. How many are driving for Uber?
I can't really tell, it's quite funny though. If you spot a business-like car with blue plates,
but without a taxi sign on top, you can almost definitely say it's an Uber-driver.
Right. There's been quite some commotion around Uber. You guys first had UberPOP, which meant any private qualified car could be used as an Uber-car.
- Yes. But that has been abolished right? Why?
That's because we saw a decrease of available working space for a service like that.
We also saw rules being made more flexible. It's become easier to get your taxi license, and that made becoming a chauffeur more easier.
And that means, taxi driving became more accessible.
Right. When you got the right car, your drivers-card, your certificate of conduct and when you've passed your medical examination,
what do you make, globally speaking?
If you're driving a good few hours per week, you can make up to about €50.000 per year.
Even better, we guarantee the first €10.000 revenue within the first 10 weeks.
Right, but that depends on the amount of hours you're driving.
- Correct. We provide you with a timetable with the hours you can drive.
And if you get to driving 40 to 50 hours per week, you can get to those numbers pretty easily.
The most drivers drive more than that though, a good driver which drives the right hours can make up to €1500 per week.
- Okay. I almost ran a red light there, did you see? I did see that yes!
- Ooh, if I did run it, would that be an automatic failure? In Driving Ed or with me?
Haha, we've almost killed off the series before it gets off the ground!
No, don't worry. You were just in time!
Hey, from what I can recall from my experiences with Uber in America, the Uber-rates are lower than the normal taxi rates.
How is that possible?
Good question. It's very simple really.
Because a driver is constantly driving on a 'request'-platform, and doesn't stop very often. It's much more efficient.
Even better, it has happened a driver got another offer whilst still driving someone.
and that's why when seen hourly, so that cranks up the efficiency.
That means that when you add up the figures, you can keep more of the money you earned.
So if you're an Uber-driver, you won't be smoking for hours at a time at a taxi stop?
Haha, absolutely not. If you're a smoker, you can better quit immediately, you just won't have time!
What I enjoyed when I drove with Uber, is that you meet all kinds of people.
A few days ago, I was driving with someone who also has a chicken farm in Egypt. I really find it interesting to get to meet the people who are driving!
That's something I'm going to experience in about eight weeks, I hope I'll be able to welcome you as an official passenger then!
I'd love that! - Thanks Marco, awesome