Ints Kalnins/Reuters
- Uber and Lyft have taken the world by storm.
- Business Insider spoke to more than twenty drivers to learn more about what it's like to work for the apps.
- Topping the list of complaints is smelly food and crumbs, but other pet peeves might surprise some riders.
Every day, an army of nearly four million drivers provide 16 million rides and deliveries across the world for Uber, according to numbers the company provided ahead of its massive IPO.
Those drivers meet all sorts of passengers, both the good and the bad.
In recent months, Business Insider has spoken to more than twenty drivers for both Uber and Lyft (as well as other apps, including Via) to learn about their experience working on the platform.
Together, these verified drivers have provided more than 10,000 rides on the Uber and Lyft apps. Business Insider is publishing only their first names and general work area in order to allow them to keep their privacy.
Every driver we spoke to has had problems with rude or smelly passengers, and tips are often few and far between, even with the addition of a tip function into the Uber app about two years ago. Still, our interviews show a workplace that's highly flexible around a driver's busy schedule, and instant payments are a big plus for those who need the money quickly.
Have you driven for Uber? Have a story to share? You can reach the author of this story at grapier@businessinsider.com.
Here are driver's biggest pet peeves when it comes to the passenger in their backseat: