It’s been one year this week since we launched uberX in New Orleans! To celebrate, let’s take a walk down memory lane and reflect on the journey.

Empowering driver-partners

Since launching uberX in April 2015 with a small but dedicated group of driver-partners, the Uber platform now has thousands of people on the road at any given time. In the past year, over 3.5K Orleans Parish residents have completed at least one trip as an uberX driver-partner. That’s 1% of the total population of Orleans Parish!

Driving with Uber attracts a very diverse group of people in New Orleans. Over 35% of driver-partners in New Orleans are women, higher than the national average of 19% female driver-partners according to a survey taken at the end of 2015.

The folks who drive on the Uber platform locally have not only made respectable earnings, they’ve also covered a lot of ground.

  • 10.5 million miles driven by uberX driver-partners since uberX launch
  • $21.73 / hour on average earned by active uberX driver-partners in March 2016*

Driver-partners are the heart and soul of Uber New Orleans, and they’re the reason we’ve come this far in just one year. People tell us that driving on the Uber platform is liberating – there’s no schedule, no boss, and better income through modern technology.

IWD_blog_header960x540

Meet local Uber driver-partners KB, Kiara, and Maria who recently shared how their earnings are helping them pursue their passions.

Keeping New Orleans moving

New Orleans’ support of uberX has been incredible. We reached the milestone of completing 1 million uberX trips in New Orleans last November, and that number keeps growing! We can’t thank our riders and driver-partners enough for their tremendous support, especially to those who were with us from the very beginning as advocates for smart ridesharing regulations in the city.

NOLA_blog-01 (2)

Over the past year, demand for uberX rides in New Orleans has grown significantly as people in all areas of the city are using the service.

At the same time, uberX has become more reliable and efficient, with an average wait time of just over 3 minutes for a pick up.

eta_new_orleans_evolution (4)

We are always looking for ways to innovate and expand access to transportation options across the city. In the last year, we launched specialized options like uberASSIST, with driver-partners who’ve been instructed on safety requirements for those with accessibility needs.

We continue to educate New Orleanians about the importance of making a responsible choice after a night out. We partnered with MADD Louisiana on New Year’s Eve, and delivered over 20,000 safe rides in New Orleans between 6 pm and 6 am.

Having fun along the way

While safe, reliable, and affordable rides remain our top priority – we still love putting a smile on our community’s face. This year we offered up kitten and puppy playdates with the LASPCA, ice cream, king cakes, post-Mardi Gras bead pickup with ARC of Greater New Orleans, an exclusive experience with G-Eazy and more – all at the tap of a button.

ubericecream, ice cream, sucre, uber uberkittens, uber, kittens, LASPCA uberkingcake, king cake, uber
geazy, uber, new orleans mardi gras, bead pickup, uber uberpuppies, uber, new orleans

Keep reading for a few fun facts from the past year…

  • 1 Krewe of Muses shoe left in an Uber ride and returned during Mardi Gras
  • 17 kittens and puppies from the LASPCA found their furever homes after UberKITTENS and UberPUPPIES promotions
  • 200 Haydel’s King Cakes delivered in New Orleans on the first day of Carnival season
  • 17,000 pounds of Mardi Gras beads collected and donated to Arc of Greater New Orleans during our #UberBEADPICKUP promotion
  • 20,000 safe rides delivered to late-night revelers in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve

Thanks for coming along for the ride! We look forward to continuing to serve our community in the years ahead.

Uber on!

*Based on earnings of New Orleans partner-drivers in March 2016. Actual earnings may vary depending on time of day, location, and other factors.