Making Ends Meet

While waiting for a job offer at my first PA-C position, I have started driving for Lyft/Uber to help Emily out with expenses. I also had this idea that I could make my car into a Dharma Dwellings branding vehicle to help spread the word to people visiting town who might be more likely to use a rideshare service. Let’s just say it has been an interesting first few days.

A Few Stories

I’ve given rides to St. Paddy’s day drinkers, (some at 11 am). A group of guys outside of the bar on St. Paddy’s night gave me $85 in cash to take them home, giving me one of the greatest 20 minute memories of my life. I got a few drunken hugs, fist-bumps, and handshakes. I saw one guy getting a DUI and felt awful, taking a Lyft or Uber is a little bit cheaper than a DUI.

Day Driving

Driving during the day is a different experience and less busy. Most of the time its giving people rides home from work or to appointments. One passenger decided she wanted to go to the south target in town, after we were about a minute from the north target. I’ve met people from all over the place visiting the clinic, including a few southerners who couldn’t get over the weather being this way in April! I picked up a guy from the airport who was in town for the clinic. It was fun to tell him about town, some of the history, and what we enjoy doing. He took a Dharma Dwellings card, so hopefully he comes to stay with us in the future!

I nearly got T-boned

As I was driving around, properly obeying all traffic laws, and looking waiting for my next person to pick up, I was almost in an accident. I was going through an intersection with a green light, when (fortunately) my amazing human peripheral vision (thanks natural selection) with it’s ability to pick up on speed kicked in at the right time. From my right is a red F-150 flying through the red light, I slam on the breaks, say (i.e. scream) WTF, and somehow avoid getting hit. I’m eternally grateful for my cat like speed and reflexes (someone has to appreciate that reference, and if you do you get an internet fist-bump from yours truly). Needless to say, the adrenaline rush was a nice boost to the mid afternoon lull.

Why you should use Lyft

Most people think of Uber, and it is definitely the most popular option here in Rochester. As a driver, it puts a different perspective on things. Lyft definitely pays the driver better and gives them a bonus if they complete 50 rides in the first month, and a guaranteed rate if they give ~40 rides a week . They have a better built in tipping system, which is really necessary as you spend a lot on gas, cleaning your car, and general depreciation of putting mileage on your vehicle. I would say that I’ve averaged somewhere around ~$10 an hour but I haven’t learned the best times to be on the road. (Well bar-close is an obvious one)

Referral codes to save you money!

If you are new to Uber and Lyft, these codes will save you some money! Uber- alex14006ue Lyft- SCHMITT23256