Ride-share companies like Lyft, SideCar, and Uber may finally have their balls out of the vice-grips of various regulatory and municipal government agencies. The California Public Utilities Commission appears satisfied with the number of people who know they exist now and have lifted the $20,000 fines they issued at the end of 2012. The first thing Uber is doing with their newly released testicles is hiring drivers not licensed to drive taxis or limos for Uberx.
Awesome right? This policy was cleared with the CPUC and is an effort to lower the cost and wait times of Uberx rides. Potential drivers still have to meet California and Uber’s requirements for driving. This includes a background check, in-person screening, and a city knowledge exam to make sure you know where to drop off tourists asking for clam chowder (the Tenderloin, obvi).
We’re big fans of Uber at The Bold Italic and we have high hopes for the CPUC’s decision to let car sharing services thrive. But to make sure that all those new Uberx drivers hitting the road will continue to keep Uber awesome, I have some advice for all the newbs on the job:
1. Shut Up
Just because you’re driving a hybrid and the silences seem even more silent doesn’t mean I should have to listen to your daddy issues. On the off chance that I do want to talk, I’ll be sure to signal my interest by, you know, asking you a question.
2. Chill with the Air Freshener
Unless you’re getting paid to endorse Glade, I want to sit in a car, not something that smells like a Victoria Secret semi-annual sale. Fuzzy dice are a different story and totally awesome.
3. Chill with the Dubstep
Especially take this advice if you drive an Uberx van. Why not ask me if I want to listen to the radio? Or just do without it for the seven minutes it takes to get to the ball park?
4. Don’t ask me for directions
Didn’t you accept this job on a smart phone? Didn’t I call an Uber because I have absolutely no sense of navigation, but I don’t want to feel bad about it? Get me to my destination without me co-piloting us to Oakland by accident.
5. Don’t text
Texting is no bueno. Save the winky faces you need to send to your boo until after I’ve left your vehicle — or more importantly, til after I’ve given you a positive review ;)
