Advice #1: Smoking Before A Ride

I have picked up riders over the years that have gotten into my car after just having a cigarette or other substance of the like. It is of course not permitted to smoke in a rideshare service vehicle. However, even smoking just before getting into a vehicle can be like smoking in the car. The aroma unfortunately lingers on one’s breath for a while after smoking and fills an enclosed space quickly.

I unfortunately have given every rider that has smoked just before getting in my car a below five-star rating for cleanliness. It does not please me at all to do so, but as a driver I need to maintain a car free of strong-smelling aromas, or else any rider that gets in after might give a bad rating. I have never refused a ride for this issue, but some drivers might.

I say this not out of disrespect for any rider that smokes; but only to suggest you wait until after you finish a ride to enjoy a smoke. Doing so will help you avoid a potentially unpleasant reaction from a driver, as well as keep your star rating as a rider up.

Advice #2: A Safe Pick-Up Spot

Over the years, I have had a few riders wanting picked up in places I just cannot go; like designated city bus or train lanes. Some cities like Portland have both shared train/car lanes and train only lanes. Most riders may not know this. So, I as a driver communicate this through the rideshare app, or when they get in the car after I pick them up in a more appropriate spot near them.

Other times riders will want to be picked up on busy streets or street corners. It is important to pick a spot that is safe and legal to be picked up and dropped off. We as drivers need to keep you and ourselves safe whenever possible. So, be sure to look around you and see where a better spot might be; like the center of a city/town block where other drivers can see the rideshare car you are getting into better and can go around it safely.

Advice #3: Communication Is Key

Communicating with your driver in situations where you need special assistance, in a crowded space, or overall need to tell an important thing is always good. It is of course perfectly alright to call. However, sending a text to your driver is best in most cases. I say this because there may be instances where the driver cannot or should not talk during a ride.

For example, sometimes I will accept a ride while currently transporting another rider. Your app should tell you if your driver is dropping off another rider. If so, calling can be distracting to the driver and uncomfortable for the passenger they are transporting. So texting helps limit this interaction and they call text you back when safe to do so, after dropping off their current rider.

Another good example is sometimes your driver might not be very fluent or even speak the same language as you. Texting can help the driver in cases like this, because cell phones have translating technologies now days. If a language barrier does exist, the driver can communicate with you when they can, and in the language they speak; which will be translated into the language you speak on your phone.

Advice #4: Sound Levels

Before getting into your rideshare car, be sure to check the sound level on your phone or other devices. I have had a few times over the years where I will be driving and all the sudden my rider would get a call. These occurrences led me to be a bit startled every time, due to me just being too focused on driving. So, it is always good to make sure your devices are at a lower level to help potentially limit this kind of reaction from your driver.

I would also suggest using earbuds or other modern earpieces to carry out conversations on the phone or when listening to your personal source of entertainment or music. Volume control is a very good way to create the best experience between you and the driver. I for one, do my best to keep the music I play in the car to a reasonable level that can be enjoyed by my riders.

Advice #5: Adding A Stop To An Existing Ride

I personally have never had a problem with riders adding a stop to their ride. The extra time and distance is more money for me. However, I have had riders tell me that they have had instances where drivers have canceled the ride because they did not want to take multiple stops. We as drivers should not cancel rides for this reason, but it does unfortunately happen.

The rideshare app should tell the driver if there are multiple stops on a particular ride before they accept the ride. They may not, however, catch that part of the ride request when they see it come up on their end. So, it is always good to not only confirm with the driver if your ride has multiple stops, but also ask the driver if it is okay to add a stop, if you do not already have one as part of the ride. This helps avoid any potential issue the driver might have with taking a rider to multiple stops before dropping them off.

Advice #6: Don’t Chase Cars

On several occasions I have been in the process of picking up a rider, but could not find the rider, or could not stop or park at the location the app told me to stop at. This caused me to have to circle the block and come around again. However, a few riders over the years have seen this and felt it necessary to chase me down. One time a rider pounded on my car to get my attention because he had chased me down.

If you notice that your driver is going around the block or away from you, simply just let them do it. Look around and see what might be causing them to drive past or circle around again and wait. Sometimes we as drivers cannot stop or do not see anyone that looks like they are the rider. So, we may need to just come around again to get you.

It is also can be a safety hazard to chase after a car. Drivers need to pick up riders in places that are safe and legal to pick up at. It is also important that we follow traffic and city laws as well. Just be a little patient, and we will be back around to pick you up.