Due to TLC regulations that have significantly impacted how Uber can operate in New York City and recent actions of another app-based company, we have to make some changes to your driving experience. We’ve explored many solutions on how to enable New York City drivers to earn reliably to meet their goals, and are introducing a new tool that will help give you certainty on when you can go online.
Starting August 16, you will need to set your schedule in your Driver app by reserving the hours you want to drive the following week—otherwise, you may not be able to go online.
How it’ll work:
- Every Friday, you’ll be able to reserve the hours you’d like to go online the next week (Monday – Sunday). We’ll send you a message each week when it’s time to reserve your hours. Be sure to act quickly, as spots may fill up.
- You can edit your hours throughout the week, so if your plans change and you aren’t able to go online during an hour you signed up for, simply remove it from your schedule. You can also reserve additional hours to your schedule, if they’re available.
- You’ll be able to go online and drive during your reserved hours—guaranteed. On top of that, you can have confidence that there will likely be trip requests during your reserved driving times, because the number of drivers on the road is based on expected rider demand.
You’ve seen a number of changes to your driving experience lately because of recent TLC regulations, and we know it’s not easy. We are working hard to continue building a tool that works for you—we’ll be making regular improvements based on real-time feedback and how the product is doing so we can provide the best possible experience.
In the meantime, we’re here to support you along the way. Thank you for continuing to drive with us.
FAQ
- Q: Why is Uber making this change to how I can drive in New York City?
A: Due to TLC regulations and actions taken by another ride-request app, we have to make some changes to how Uber operates in New York City. We’ve explored many solutions on how to enable New York City drivers to earn reliably to meet their goals, and we believe this is the best possible solution at this time. These unique circumstances have forced us to launch a schedule tool that will enable drivers to have certainty when they’re going to go online and earn money.
- Q: What are the TLC regulations and what they mean for New York City drivers?
Down Small A: Due to TLC regulations, ride-request apps are being assessed by a “utilization score,” which is the amount of time drivers are online with ride-request apps with passengers in their vehicle. Ride-request apps want to maximize their utilization score, which means maximizing the amount of time drivers are on trips with riders. If a ride-request app receives a low utilization score, meaning there is a high percentage of time that drivers are online without a passenger in the vehicle, rider prices will go up in the next calendar year. Historically, when rider prices go up, there has been a drop in demand as riders consider alternative transportation options. The change we’re making will hopefully help increase our utilization score, which in turn will keep rider prices down and not decrease rider demand (or your opportunities to earn).
- Q: Who will have to schedule their hours?
Down Small A: All New York City TLC-licensed drivers who drive with Uber will have to reserve their hours starting Friday, August 16, except for WAV drivers. The schedule tool will be implemented in New York City, across all 5 boroughs.
- Q: How many hours can I reserve each week?
Down Small A: Each driver will be able to reserve hours per week each Friday. Each week runs from Monday – Sunday. If additional hours open up throughout the week, drivers can reserve those using the schedule tool in the Driver app.
- Q: How will I know which hours I’ve reserved each week?
Down Small A: The schedule tool in the Driver app will show you which hours you’ve already reserved and what hours are still available.
- Q: Why do some drivers get to reserve their hours earlier than others?
Down Small A: Top drivers (determined by number of rides and star rating) will get early access to sign up.
- Q: Do I have to go online during an hour I’ve reserved?
Down Small A: No. You are guaranteed to be able to go online during the hours you’ve reserved; however, you do not have to go online during that hour. You can drive all of the hour, part of it, or none of it. If you reserve an hour then your plans change and you are no longer able to go online during that period, simply remove it from your schedule in the Driver app.
- Q: What if an hour I wanted to reserve is already full?
Down Small A: Unfortunately, that means you cannot reserve that hour, at that time. However, drivers are able to remove hours from their schedule at any time, so you can check back throughout the week to see if the hour you want becomes available.
- Q: When can I start to reserve additional hours?
Down Small A: Reserve your weekly hours when you receive a message from us each Friday. Once all New York City drivers have had a chance to reserve hours, you can go into the schedule tool in the Driver app at 8pm on [day of week—Friday?] and reserve any additional hours that are available.
- Q: What happens at the end of my hour?
Down Small A: Several things might happen: If you are on a trip and the next hour is full, you will be automatically taken offline at the end of the trip. If you are not on a trip but the next hour is full, you will automatically be taken offline. If you are not on a trip but there’s availability for the next hour, you can continue to be online.
If you are online but already waiting in an airport queue, you will not be taken offline.
If you are online but outside of the New York City service area, you will be able to remain online and receive a trip headed back into the city.
- Q: What happens if I try to go online during an hour I haven’t reserved?
Down Small A: If that hour doesn’t have availability, you will be unable to go online in New York City. However, if there is availability in that hour but you haven’t reserved it, you may be able to go online.
- Q: Is there the same amount of availability for every hour?
Down Small A: No. During busy hours, which are hours where there historically has been more rider demand, there will be more availability than during other hours. The hours that you see in the schedule tool with an upward arrow to the right are busy hours.
- Q: Does this change apply to WAV drivers too?
Down Small A: No, this change does not apply to WAV drivers. WAV drivers are able to go online at any time. If a WAV trip is available outside of an hour a driver has signed up for, the driver will be able to go online to accept that trip. If you are interested in becoming a WAV driver, tap here.
The future of ride-request apps in NYC
You’ve seen a number of changes to your driving experience lately because of recent TLC regulations and we know it’s not easy. We’re working hard to continue building a product that works for you—we’ll be making regular improvements based on real-time feedback and how the product is doing so we can provide the best possible experience.
If you want to see flexibility while driving on the Uber app, we encourage you to reach out to your local elected officials to let them know.
Posted by Uber
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Get a ride when you need one
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