RIDESHARE HELPS MAN BEAT JOB LOSS
WHEN Kiran Seri was let go from his hospitality job during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the rideshare industry supported him and his young family through a tough period.
“I used to drive rideshare as my part-time, but soon after COVID came, I lost my job and I have become fulltime in rideshare,” he said.
“I work about six days a week, eight hours a day.
“It actually gave me a little security for my family, I could make a little amount.”
The Indian migrant and Rangeville resident said he is particularly excited by the inclusion of new rideshare service DiDi into the Toowoomba market.
Mr Seri said the company offered lower commissions than other rideshares, with Uber and Ola also in Toowoomba as well.
“I even called DiDi earlier asking when they were going to launch in Toowoomba — that was around six to eight months ago,” he said.
“Drivers are charged a smaller percentage and we receive more of the fare.
“Automatically, I’m going to make more income, because the fees for other companies are 27 per cent and 15 per cent.”
DiDi spokesman Dan Jordan said the Chinese-owned service could offer more competitive fares for customers and only charged drivers an average 10 per cent commission.
“From a rider’s side, DiDi is more affordable — we are up to 10 per cent more affordable than the other rideshares,” he said.
“For drivers, we have an industry-leading service fee.”
The company has rolled out its tiered program for drivers, with the best-performing participants earning lower commission rates.