Uber a win for everyone: driver
Maya likes being an Uber driver.
She likes the flexibility. She likes managing her own hours. She likes meeting people. Of course, she likes the money.
And she likes the way the ride-sharing company looks after her.
Just last week, Uber shouted all its female drivers to a pizza dinner at Kings Park. Before that, it was a champagne breakfast for all the drivers.
"There is no doubt Uber makes you feel valued," Maya said. "Uber is a win for everyone - a win for drivers, a win for passengers.
"There are a lot of incentives for Uber drivers - there are financial rewards for working hard and providing a top-class service. It pays to be efficient and good at what you do."
Maya was working as an administrative assistant when her daughter became sick and the mother of one needed a bit of extra money to pay the medical bills.
Maya registered to drive for Uber at weekends but was so impressed with how she could fit her work around the rest of her life that she decided to go full-time.
On a typical day, she "logs on" about 5.30am and waits at home until her first call comes through. She works until mid-morning when she returns home to walk her dog. She also takes a break for lunch and usually likes to take an afternoon nap.
Maya is generally back on the road about 4pm and works through until she "logs off" about 10pm.
"It has got very busy over the last couple of weeks," she said. "I generally do about two fares an hour, but it has been more than that recently.
"I have built up clients who ask for me and there have been times when they have hugged me at the end of the journey because they have enjoyed the experience.
"There's a reason why Uber has been so successful all over the world. It prides itself on the reputation of its drivers, and it is in the interests of the driver to provide a good service.
"We get 80 per cent of every fare, but extra incentives are offered to ensure there are enough drivers when demand is high - like at a sporting event, or a concert or New Year's Eve.
"It's a win-win for everyone - drivers are rewarded and passengers can be assured of an efficient and safe journey."
Maya was nominated for this interview by Uber.
