7 Female Uber & Ola Drivers Confess How Much They Earn And How They're Treated

"Some cut the line when I call them for directions, thinking it’s a wrong number because they’re so shocked that a woman picked up the line."

1. Kanchi (Ola Mumbai)

Ola

How she started: "My husband and I did some research for seven to eight months. I used to work in event management before and still freelance for the industry."

How much she earns per month: ₹85,000 - ₹90,000

How long she's driven for Ola: 1.5 years

The challenges: "I have never had a problem with customers misbehaving with me, but there is always a preconceived notion that women cannot drive. Some of them wear their seat belts in the back seat and suggest routes to me."

How people react: "Some cut the line when I call them for directions, thinking it's a wrong number because they're so shocked that a woman picked up the line. One elderly gentleman blessed me quite a bit a few days back because he was so happy to see a woman driving him to Dadar station."

Advice for other women: "I suggest that any woman who wants to be a driver like I am needs to understand that it is a rewarding job and it will never bore them."

2. Haytunnisha V Sayyed (Uber and Ola Mumbai)

Haytunnisha V Sayyed

How she started: "Earlier, I used to drive my friend's car around for her. But, I was sure I could earn better if I drove my own car. So, I started working with Uber."

How much she earns per month: Around ₹60,000

How long she's driven for Uber: 1.5 years

The challenges: "While I usually have very nice customers to deal with, I never talk back to customers and instead, just keep quiet and give them a bad rating if they misbehave. Once, someone gave me a wrong location and he kept asking me to turn around and come to where he was standing. He talked very rudely to me over the phone and when he got into the vehicle, he started abusing me. I told him to leave the car and gave him a bad rating."

How people react: "They're usually shocked. They wonder if it's a ladies' special. They get very happy. People have asked if they could request for me."

Advice for other women: "I'd advise them to go for it. I got two other friends of mine to join Uber as well."

3. Ganga (Ola Bengaluru)

Ola

How it started: "Earlier, I used to be a teacher. I decided to join Ola as a driver to earn some extra cash. I had tried working with Uber but it didn't work out as well."

How much she earns per month: Around ₹70,000

How long she's driven for Ola: 1.5 years

The challenges: "I have never had a problem with customers and there's always a call centre to do the work for us as well."

How people react: "They are usually quite happy to see a woman at the wheel and are always surprised to see me."

Advice for other women: "Anyone who wants to do this should definitely go ahead with it. Especially since the rise of start-ups in the city, more people prefer cabs over autos which makes this lucrative too."

4. Shabana (Uber Mumbai)

Shabana

How she started: "I used to work with Veera cabs before. Later, I found out that Uber was a thing. I was told that the business is good here, so I bought myself a car to be a partner with them."

How much she earns per month: ₹75,000 - ₹1 lakh

How long she's driven for Uber: 2 years

The challenges: "The clients I get are usually very nice and well-educated. If there is a doubt that someone is being dodgy, I don't talk too much. I tell them off right then and don't talk too much thereafter."

How people react: "They are usually concerned for my safety. People advise us against driving at night as well."

Advice for other women: "There is no better business, honestly. If women are up for it, they should go ahead with it."

5. Harpreet Kaur (Uber Mumbai)

Harpreet Kaur

How she started: "I had been driving since 2003 in Dubai till 2007. I moved to Bombay after marriage and joined a ladies' taxi company. Then, I found out about Uber."

How much she earns per month: Around ₹1 lakh

How long she's driven for Uber: 2 years

The challenges: "There is no tension. It feels good to talk to people and hear about them, and still get time to spend with family. If anything goes wrong, we have all the customer details. But, there hasn't been a problem so far."

How people react: "They get shocked at first. They think that there are no women at the wheel. They get very happy to see us and they thank us."

Advice for other women: "There is a lot of freedom. People are earning money and everyone is up to their own whims. Sab apne marzi ke maalik hai. Moving to Uber has been lucky for me."

6. Samina Bokhiya (Uber Mumbai)

Samina Bokhiya

How she started: "My mummy had a car in the house. I also was told that Uber was a good business to join, so I did."

How much she earns per month: Around ₹80,000

How long she's driven for Uber: 1.5 years

The challenges: "I haven't had any issues. There is no fixed timing with the company. People behave very well with me."

How people react: "Every time, [the clients] say they're seeing a female driver for the first time. I haven't been able to understand how people always say that they're seeing for the first time when there are so many of us."

Advice for other women: "It is a great job; there is no tension and we almost always get customers."

7. Mahalakshmi (Ola Bengaluru)

Ola

How she started: "I used to be a housewife earlier when I decided to take a car loan via Ola's programme to finance its drivers and get myself a car to become a driver here."

How much she earns per month: ₹60,000-₹70,000

How long she's driven for Ola: One year

The challenges: "I haven't had a problem so far. The clients are usually very good. But, if there is an issue, I just refer it to the customer care."

How people react: "They are always pleasantly surprised to see women driving. Even people who don't usually talk to their drivers end up striking a conversation with me."

Advice for other women: "If you want to try this out, please go ahead and do it. Not only is it well-paid, it also has earned me a lot of respect in society."