E-hailing has become a popular way for many South Africans to earn extra income. With the rise of e-hailing platforms like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive, there are more opportunities than ever to make money using your car. But to truly increase your profits, it takes more than just signing up on one platform; there are other ways to increase profits as an e-hailing driver.
In this article, we are going to share some tips on how you can increase your profits using e-hailing.
Work on Multiple E-Hailing Platforms
One of the easiest ways to increase your income is to use more than one e-hailing platform. Most drivers in South Africa focus on just one app, like Uber, Bolt, or inDrive. But by registering on multiple platforms, you can get more ride requests and reduce downtime. For example, if Uber is slow during certain hours, Bolt or inDrive might have more customers looking for rides. This way, you can always stay busy and maximise your earnings.
It is important to manage your time and notifications properly. You don’t want to get mixed up with requests from different platforms, so always check which app has the highest demand at the moment. Some drivers even set up separate phones to handle multiple platforms effectively.
Remember: This should not be used as a means to exceed safe time limitations. Don’t switch to a different platform just to jump over driving limitations. You deserve rest and safety.
Choose the Right Car to Use in E-Hailing
When starting the e-hailing business, it is important to research which car will be best for you when operating. The type of car you drive may make a big difference in your profits. Smaller, fuel-efficient cars are great for saving on petrol and maintenance, which increases your net income. Cars like the Toyota Corolla, Renault Kwid, or Hyundai Grand i10 are popular choices because they are reliable and affordable to operate.
When you have a larger vehicle, such as an SUV or a minivan, you are capable of attracting larger numbers of passengers or families. And these trips often pay more, especially for airport transfers or longer trips. It is very important to know the strength of your car and also have a target audience, so that you can plan better.
Drive at the Right Times
The key aspect of profit maximisation in e-hailing is timing. Many drivers find that mornings and evenings are the busiest times. In the morning, you can take advantage of rush-hour traffic when people are going to work. Dropping staff at offices or schools can also be a steady source of income. In the afternoon and evenings, people are returning home or going out for leisure activities, which is another good opportunity.
Planning your time to be on during peak times will give you more rides and make more money. Other drivers go as far as scheduling their day to have office runs in the morning and then move to e-hailing in the afternoons and evenings when there is high demand.
Keep Track of Expenses
Keeping track of expenses is very important. To truly increase profits, you need to know how much you are spending versus how much you are earning. You need to track petrol, car maintenance, insurance, and other expenses. By doing this, you will be able to understand your net income and identify ways to reduce unnecessary costs. For example, driving during off-peak hours might save fuel, but if there are fewer rides, it might not be worth it.
Consider Groups or Corporate Clients
Some drivers increase their profits by offering services to companies. Many offices need drivers for staff transport. By building relationships with businesses, you can secure regular trips that guarantee a steady income. Often, these corporate trips pay better than regular e-hailing rides.
Minimise Wait Times
Time is money. Avoid long wait times by arriving promptly and encouraging passengers to be ready when you get there. If a rider takes too long, use the cancellation policy to your advantage to avoid wasted time.
These are the tips drivers need to put into practice so that they get increased profits. There are many opportunities in the e-hailing space, as you can get a basic income in normal requests, and you can also be strategic and use other ways to make your profits go higher.
