I’ve been thinking about the shitty fares and constant complaints from drivers and pax regarding canceling too often, and realize this all comes down to money.
There’s no way to get uber as a corporation to to pay drivers …
But is it possible to get drivers a better fare ? Clearly wages are going down each year…If Uber is done subsidizing driver pay, there should be an option for riders to effectively guarantee better service by choosing what they’re willing to pay the driver upfront.
Think of it this way: the amount Uber charges upfront is the fee for using the platform—the matchmaking service. Then the rider has the option to commit an additional amount that goes directly to the driver as part of the fare. Call it something other than a tip if needed, because people hate the idea of “tipping before service.”
Empower takes the opposite approach. Drivers pay a subscription and keep 100% of the fare. Uber’s model is the reverse: drivers pay nothing to access the platform, Uber collects the entire fare, then decides what portion the driver receives.
The problem is Uber can’t realistically switch to Empower’s model without taking a huge hit to revenue. Their current business depends on keeping a large percentage of each fare.
Take a common example: a rider pays $22 for a 2-mile, 15-minute trip. Uber might offer the driver $8. Many drivers will still accept that, but plenty will also cancel—whether because they’re dual-apping, a better request appears, or they simply decide the pay isn’t worth it.
That leaves everyone frustrated. Riders get bounced between drivers, drivers feel underpaid, and Uber gets blamed for unreliable service.
A possible compromise would be a new ride option—something like “Name Your Price” or “Quote Your Fare.” The rider would still pay Uber a fixed platform fee (maybe $5–10) for using the marketplace. Then they’d decide how much they’re willing to pay the driver. That entire amount would be guaranteed to the driver before they accept the trip. If the driver provides exceptional service, the rider could still add an optional tip afterward.
There would be no guarantee a driver accepts the offer, but at least both sides would know exactly what’s on the table. Drivers could make informed decisions, riders willing to pay more could get faster, more reliable pickups, and Uber would still earn predictable platform revenue.
The biggest issue today is transparency. Riders often assume the driver is receiving most of what they paid, while drivers know they’re often getting a fraction of it. That disconnect creates resentment on both sides.
A marketplace where riders can effectively bid for priority service could reduce cancellations, improve driver morale, and give riders another option when getting picked up quickly actually matters.