This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Porshaye Watkins, a 37-year-old ride-hailing driver for Uber and Lyft in Atlanta. Business Insider verified her work and expenses. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
I started medical school in January 2020. Then, life happened.
My grandmother passed. She raised me, so after that, I had to navigate life a little differently. I became the sole caretaker for my Vietnam War veteran grandfather and my intellectually disabled adult brother.
In the fall of last year, I had the wonderful idea to use rideshare to supplement my income while studying and caring for my family. However, it has not been what I've planned.
The story I had heard from others who drove rideshare was that they did it full-time and were able to make thousands of dollars a week. But the most profitable times to work don't always fall within the hours I'm able to spend outside and work. Sometimes I have to study when lots of people are requesting rides, such as at night.
Initially, when I started driving rideshare, I rented a vehicle through Lyft. It was very expensive: I was paying about $300 a week for the car, and that doesn't include a deposit, taxes, fees, or insurance. So I was paying over $1,000 a month for a car that I didn't own. When some rides paid as little as $2 or $3, it didn't make financial sense. Earlier this year, I ended up buying my own car.
Some weeks, I end up driving for 55 hours to make enough money to cover my expenses. So far, I've completed about 1,400 trips on Uber and 500 on Lyft. I'm taking a break from school, although I plan to re-enroll and complete my final year in January.
As a future doctor, I see certain behaviors among other drivers that concern me. Like me, a lot of other ride-hailing drivers whom I talk to while working or getting rides myself say they sacrifice downtime and sleep to drive. That can make them more anxious, especially late at night, which puts everyone on the road at risk.
(Editor's note: A Lyft spokesperson said driver health and well-being is a top priority, and the company encourages drivers to take breaks and limits drivers to working 12 hours at once. An Uber spokesperson declined to comment.)
I've also noticed that I'm sitting a lot more as a driver than I used to when I was in medical school. It doesn't do the body good. I'm trying to figure out a way to get more active again.
Over the past year or so, I've realized that driving for rideshare is not a sustainable side hustle for me. I've started applying for other jobs, but I usually don't hear anything back. I've also been making grocery and restaurant deliveries through Instacart and DoorDash. The main alternative that has worked out for me is working as a substitute teacher.
It's devastating to me that I'm working this hard. I hoped the rideshare industry could be a reliable option for someone like me who needs flexibility, but it's not.
Do you have a story to share about Uber or other gig work? Contact this reporter at abitter@bjinnox.com or 808-854-4501.
