With this short review, I plan on uncovering my top 9 reasons for why Rideshare drivers should never pick up passengers who are homeless! First off I would like to say that I personally have nothing against a passenger who may be homeless or experiencing hard times. Especially when it has nothing to do with Rideshare driving. I understand that life does sometimes get tough and we all handle things differently. But when I’m working as an Uber or Lyft driver and I’m trying to maintain my peace of mind, I have to treat these sorts of circumstances accordingly. Even with me understanding the struggle and all!
That said, as Rideshare drivers we constantly find ourselves picking up all sorts of passengers from the streets. When I say all sorts of passengers I mean passengers who are funky, passengers who are running late, passengers who are underage and passengers who may be experiencing homelessness, which is what this review is going to be about! But the list goes on all the way down to us having to pickup drunk passengers or passengers who have been drinking alcohol. We get it all which is why being a Rideshare driver is so damn dangerous. You never know where you’re going to be and who you’re going to get at any given time and don’t forget that. Especially if you’re a new driver!
Here at #1RideShareDoc, I’m all about sharing my personal experiences with you guys concerning this dangerous and very broad Rideshare industry! Especially if you were wondering whether or not if it was okay to pick up riders who may be homeless. Let me help clear your conscience so you’ll be able to provide a better user experience for your passengers. Let’s discuss the things that these Rideshare companies aren’t talking about. Companies like Uber, Lyft, Via, Alto and Sidecar just to name a few. Please allow your Rideshare Doc to prepare you for what’s ahead of you and more importantly behind you!
This review will be divided into the following sections, for better absorption and clearer understanding purposes:
Introduction
What Is A Homeless Person or Passenger?
Are Homeless People Allowed To Use Rideshare Services?
My 9 Top Reasons For Why Drivers Shouldn’t Pick Up Homeless People!
What Could Happen To A Driver If They Deny A Ride To A Homeless Passenger?
What Are Some Good Ideas/Ways For A Driver To Avoid Picking Up A Passenger Who May Be Experiencing Homelessness?
My Professional Conclusion
What Is A Homeless Person or Passenger?
A homeless/houseless passenger is an individual who doesn’t have a permanent or steady place of residence. Not having a permanent or stable place of residency means that that individual possibly lives on the streets. These types of riders lack in the area of having good hygiene, being able to keep themselves safe and most important, being able to keep themselves mentally, emotionally and financially stable.
I don’t mean to sound mean when I say this but sadly yes, homeless people are absolutely allowed to use Rideshare services or apps without any restrictions. As a matter of fact, Rideshare companies require drivers to treat homeless passengers like they would treat any other passenger using the application. But of course they would require us to provide homeless people with safe and clean rides right? It’s not like they have to drive around the city with a pissy rider sitting behind them soaking in their seats right? Instead they require us to do it at our expense and face disciplinary actions if we don’t. Now how unfair does that sound? I’m pretty sure other Rideshare drivers would relate..
My 9 Top Reasons For Why Drivers Shouldn’t Pick Up Homeless People!
Now that I’ve gotten what a homeless passenger is and whether or not a homeless person’s allowed to use Rideshare apps out of the way, I would now like to provide you guys with a short list of some of my personal reasons for why Rideshare drivers shouldn’t give rides to homeless people or passengers who may be experiencing homelessness:
1.) Hygiene Issues: Homeless passengers might be currently experiencing difficulties that involve personal cleanliness which could not only affect the cleanliness and smell of the Uber drivers vehicle, but the comfort level of the driver who’s driving them as well. Correct me if I’m wrong, but in circumstances like these wouldn’t it be a little difficult for any driver to try and focus on where a passenger is going? Especially when the driver can’t stop focusing on the breathe and/or body odor of their passenger!
2.) Security Concerns: Homeless people tend to have nothing or very little, especially when referring to their personal belongings. That said, the probability of theft or damage happening to a Rideshare driver or Rideshare driver’s vehicle increases when picking up homeless passengers. Especially since your average homeless person has a seemingly definite or unclear background.
3.) Unforeseeable Actions: A homeless passenger can be very unpredictable. The homeless rider might display some sort of erratic behavior, potentially causing conflicts, problems or disruptions within the driver’s Rideshare vehicle.
4.) Legal Concerns: If something were to go wrong, unregulated “homeless” pickups can lead to legal issues. Especially when considering the fact that the credentials of a homeless passenger is far less reliable than the credentials of the Rideshare driver who’s driving them.
5.) Health Uncertainties: Homeless passengers might have serious, undisclosed health conditions, potentially posing health risks to the Uber driver and other fellow riders. Especially if the trip was supposed to be a “shared ride“!
6.) Policy Noncompliance: Numerous Rideshare platforms like Via, Sidecar and Alto enforce policies against picking up individuals not utilizing the app, which could also result in a potential account suspension for the Lyft driver.
7.) Discomfort For Fellow Passengers: The act of a Rideshare driver picking up homeless passengers may cause discomfort for other riders, influencing the overall ride experience in a very negative way.
8.) Restricted Payment Choices: Homeless riders might naturally lack a dependable payment method, posing financial challenges for the Rideshare driver. Especially if the driver were looking for a tip or to be compensated in cash!
9.) Public Image: Having to pick up homeless passengers on the regular basis could impact the driver’s standing in the community, image or overall reputation and potentially result in negative reviews or complaints.
What Could Happen To A Driver If They Deny A Ride To A Homeless Passenger?
When a Rideshare driver denies a ride to anyone and not just a homeless person, the driver could face possible disciplinary action which might include their driver account being temporarily suspended or their driver account being permanently terminated. Especially if a report of this nature was made on a driver’s account more than once! Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft believe that when a passenger pays for a ride that they’re supposed to receive their ride, period. Especially since Uber and Lyft aren’t the ones who have to actually, physically give the ride. It’s the Rideshare drivers car. Not the companies!
What Are Some Good/Ideas Ways For A Driver To Avoid Picking Up A Passenger Who May Be Experiencing Homelessness?
Now I would like to provide my professional Rideshare drivers with my three simple recommendations for avoiding having to pick up passengers who may be experiencing homelessness or not having a steady place to live. Especially if you’re a driver who’s not looking to have to pick up or deal with this type of ride and subject yourself or your vehicle to these types of circumstances. My three personal three recommendations are:
1.) Pay Attention To Your Pickup Location/Address: If you’re a driver and you’ve noticed that your pickup is at the Weinberg homeless shelter for example, this could possibly mean that your rider might be a homeless person. Make a mental note of this and adjust yourself accordingly after following my next recommendation.
2.) Look For Signs: Upon observing your passenger as they approach your vehicle doors, if their clothes seem to be ripped, torn or stained, their hair seems to be very unkept or ungroomed, their body odor can be smelled as they stand next to your car and/or their teeth are slightly or completely missing, that could also possibly mean that your Rider might be experiencing homelessness. Make a mental note of this and adjust yourself accordingly. Especially after following my last recommendation!
3.) Ask questions: When all else fails or when a driver isn’t sure of something, ask questions! Just don’t wait until the homeless person is inside your vehicle to ask these questions or else it might be hard to get them to exit your vehicle. A homeless passenger in my opinion would be a whole lot harder to remove from a driver’s vehicle then a passenger who has a job and a stable place of residence. I mean it’s not like the homeless person has anywhere definite to be right? The chances of the homeless passenger having somewhere definite to be would be slim to none, which I’m sure you all would agree!
My Professional Conclusion:
So to conclude this really short review, I would like to say that it is very important that all Rideshare drivers be aware of the different types of passengers they stand a chance at picking up when choosing to become an Uber or Lyft driver. That way there are no surprises and no Rideshare drivers driving someone that they really don’t feel comfortable or safe driving. That said, being aware of what homeless passengers might bring to a driver’s car could help drivers better prepare themselves beforehand (vehicles included!) allowing them to make a more well informed decision on whether or not they want to accept and complete the ride.
Some Rideshare drivers may not think it’s a big deal that homeless people don’t always smell pleasant, while some other drivers may think that it is a big deal. Especially when referring to the maintenance and up keeping of a driver’s personal vehicle. Some drivers may think that all homeless people deserve a ride. Especially after reading this review! But that was the whole point and purpose of me writing this review. Isn’t it better when you have a heads up as a driver versus being surprised or caught off guard? Isn’t it better to be aware versus unaware of some of the types of passengers you stand a chance at picking up as an Uber or Lyft driver? I thought you would agree!
Now that we’re nearing the end of another great review, would you guys happen to have anything to say or add when it comes to my personal 9 reasons for why Rideshare drivers shouldn’t pick up homeless passengers? Do you have any extra knowledge to add to my short list of reasons? Do you disagree with something I said concerning what a homeless person is or something pertaining to the allowance of homeless people using Rideshare services? Well whether you do or don’t, I would love to hear your feedback on this whole subject matter. Please feel free to leave those story, thoughts, comments and concerns at the bottom of this review and I will be sure to respond back to you promptly!
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