An Uber taxi driver sits in his car in Nairobi March 9, 2016.  U.S.-based Uber plans to expand in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana this year and will focus on convincing traditional taxi drivers to work for the ride-hailing service, Alon Lits, Uber's general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said.

Uber and Lyft drivers only make $3.37 an hour

$3.37

A new study-in-progress shows Uber and Lyft drivers only make a few dollars per hour, with 74% making less than the US minimum wage.

Published   |  Photo by Reuters/Noor Khamis
An Uber taxi driver sits in his car in Nairobi March 9, 2016.  U.S.-based Uber plans to expand in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana this year and will focus on convincing traditional taxi drivers to work for the ride-hailing service, Alon Lits, Uber's general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said.
$3.37

Researchers at MIT polled over 1,100 drivers for both platforms, finding that 30% lose money over the long haul thanks to maintenance, insurance, and other expenses.

An Uber taxi driver sits in his car in Nairobi March 9, 2016.  U.S.-based Uber plans to expand in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana this year and will focus on convincing traditional taxi drivers to work for the ride-hailing service, Alon Lits, Uber's general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said.
$3.37

Drivers at the median pay rate earn $0.59 per mile, which is offset by $0.30 per mile in expenses.

An Uber taxi driver sits in his car in Nairobi March 9, 2016.  U.S.-based Uber plans to expand in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana this year and will focus on convincing traditional taxi drivers to work for the ride-hailing service, Alon Lits, Uber's general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said.
$3.37

In Uber’s case, that’s one prime reason for fast turnover. A report published last year found only 4% of drivers stay with the company for more than 12 months.

An Uber taxi driver sits in his car in Nairobi March 9, 2016.  U.S.-based Uber plans to expand in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana this year and will focus on convincing traditional taxi drivers to work for the ride-hailing service, Alon Lits, Uber's general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said.
$3.37

Uber called the paper’s methodology “deeply flawed.” MIT’s researchers say little work has been published comparing driver populations among rival platforms.

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