Chauffeur service/executive car hire, is no doubt, a lucrative business in Nigeria, as many gainfully employed people are currently on the platform of the two majors pick-up services – Uber and Taxify – as a complementary source of income.
Seeing how many people, especially in big cities, use these services, one can conclude that the drivers earn good money. All you need is to be a good driver and know your city very well.
The business does not only present you with the opportunity of being your own boss and working whenever you want, without any obligations, including nights or weekends, but it also comes with some gratifying profits.
All vehicles need to be in excellent working condition and must have a working radio, air conditioner, and four doors. The recommended vehicle to be used for Uber starts from year 2000 to the current year, while for Taxify, it’s from 2003 to the current year
While some drivers are on the job, full-time, some others only drive at night after a day’s job, and some, on weekends; depending on suitability.
People make money on the Uber platform, for instance, by driving their cars themselves and picking up Uber customers, or putting a fleet of cars on the Uber network and hiring drivers to drive them.
Commenting on how to earn money as an uber driver, a representative, Mr. Okoye Nwosu, said Uber had created business opportunities for a lot of people in the country.
“People can run the business on part-time or full- time, depending on how they want to generate their income; and the beautiful part of the business is that for every trip, Uber only deducts 25 per cent of the money paid by a passenger,” he said.
Nwosu added that the company takes its time to train drivers on the ethics of the job by making them write exams and teaching them how to attend to their passengers.
He said Uber also ensured that vehicles used for the job met with its standard and that drivers owned smart phones to be qualified.
“Before a driver can be qualified to drive with Uber, their vehicle must be inspected by Cars45 to know if it is in good condition, and they have to go through training and write exams. If they pass the exam, they are good to go and also for them to earn money with Uber, it is important for them to know their city well, especially the spot where they can see passengers on a daily basis,” he added.
A Taxify/Bolt representative, Mr. Olabisi Shobayo, said the company would usually inspect vehicles itself and charge N3,000 for the inspection and training.
“We inspect the vehicle to be used and the vehicle has to be a recommended one by the company. A recommended smart phone is also required. Also, the drivers need to attend training and once they pass it, we send a report and activate them within 48 hours; then they can start business,” he said.
According to him, 15 per cent is deducted from every trip that a driver makes, while the balance is paid into his bank account.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
According to Nwosu, the minimum basic requirements for the Uber platform are: valid driver’s licence and insurance. Then the potential driver must complete a safety screening, watch a short training video and must not be below 21 years of age.
VEHICLE
All vehicles need to be in excellent working condition and must have a working radio, air conditioner, and four doors. The recommended vehicle to be used for Uber starts from year 2000 to the current year, while for Taxify, it’s from 2003 to the current year.
SMART PHONE
A recommended smart phone is needed for the drivers to download the App, which gives them the access to know when they have a request to pick up their riders.
ADVICE TO OPERATORS
According to Shobayo, for one to enjoy the business, a good fuel-efficient car is needed, while the driver must be security conscious.
“A fuel-efficient car is needed if you don’t want to spend all your money on fuel. Also, the drivers have to be security conscious, especially those that work at night. They have to lock their doors always to avoid being attacked by robbers,” he said.
