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Uber has over 40 million monthly active riders worldwide, according to Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. There are about 327,000 active Uber drivers in the United States alone. The top three reasons people become Uber drivers are to earn more money, have a more flexible schedule and to be their own boss, according to Uber’s statistics. This applies to many Uber drivers here in the Des Moines area – drivers you may find yourself riding with next time you call an Uber.

Steven

Age 45. Uber driver for over two months.
Total rides: 226. Rating: 4.96. Five-star trips: 100.

Steven was born and raised near Grand View University. Outside of Uber, he works full-time at the Wells Fargo Arena.

“I was looking for a part-time job, and I just wanted something that I could do on my own,” Steven said. “Uber is right up my alley, plus I like meeting people. It was a win-win for me.”

Steven said he has had a number of strange interactions during his time with Uber.

He said that he once got a call from a kid asking to be picked up. The last name looked familiar to him, but the Uber system was pronouncing it differently than the way he read it. When Steven got close to the pick-up destination, a young Latino kid got into the car. Steven asked the kid what his last name was, and he turned out to be a relative of his.

“He was like a second or third cousin … and I’d never met him before,” Steven said. “We talked and got caught up on family things. He knew who I was, but he didn’t know me personally.”

Steven said he does not have a favorite ride but enjoys all the people he meets.

“There are instances where you connect with somebody, and you don’t want the ride to be over because you’re having a good time,” Steven said.

Steven said that when he works on weekends, he feels that he has an obligation to make sure people get home safely. This feeling of accountability is the main reason why he continues to drive for Uber.

Justice

Age 49. Uber driver for over two-and-a-half years.

Total rides: 6,285. Rating: 4.8. Five-star trips: 3,000.

12 all-star badges. 44 excellent services badges.

Originally from Ghana, Justice moved to the U.S. to be with his now ex-wife. Currently, he does not have a job outside of Uber, but he said he is searching for a stable full-time job.

Justice said that he used to come home from work and instantly turn on the TV; however, after flipping through the channels for some time, he would find nothing to watch. So he thought, why not do something instead?  This realization led to his taking a job with Uber.

“I see people from all walks of life,” Justice said. “Business people, people going to work, people going to the bar or from the bar.”

Justice said his weirdest ride was when he picked up an intoxicated man from the bar and had to take him home.

“In the middle of the trip, he was begging to give me a blowjob,” Justice said. “The man kept saying, ‘I know you’ll enjoy it,’ even after I had told him I’m straight.”

Justice said he reported the guy to Uber.

Another strange ride Justice gave was when a man asked to be dropped off in an area in the middle of nowhere surrounded by fields. What made it stranger was that the ride was requested around 1 or 2 a.m.

Harvey

Age: 70. Uber driver for over one year.

Total rides: 1,617. Rating: 4.68. Five-star trips: 500.

Des Moines native Harvey spent time in Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Omaha before coming back to Des Moines to drive for Uber. After learning about the company from a friend, Harvey has continued to drive for Uber during his retirement. He said driving helps calm him down and gives him something to do.

“(I) pretty much see business-type people, a lot of students in high school and college, house mothers – just a little bit of everything,” Harvey said of his typical passengers.

Harvey said he has had a few frustrating experiences during his drives. Once, he had to pick up a passenger on an interstate exit ramp. Another time, he had to drive a passenger to Marshalltown, Iowa, which is about an hour away.

Despite this, he remains positive. Harvey said he believes that every ride he does is his favorite.

Kylee

Age: 28. Uber driver for over one year.

Total rides: 422. Rating: 4.92. Five-star trips: 200.

When Kylee is not a receptionist at a health care facility or studying to get her degree at Iowa State, she is an Uber driver. When she was looking for new ways to make extra money, Kylee’s sister got her started with Uber. Due to the flexibility of Uber and the opportunity it gives her to meet new people, Kylee decided to continue driving.

“I usually drive early mornings during the week, so I see business people, professional people, people who travel and people that have had their licenses taken away and need to get to their destinations,” Kylee said.

Kylee said she has had some interesting rides. She remembers one time having to pull over for her intoxicated passenger to vomit. Another time she got lost in Bondurant, Iowa, while trying to pick someone up. Kylee said she will never forget the time she had to drop someone off at the World Food Prize Building for what he said was a funeral.

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Before this month, I had never been in an Uber let alone talked to an Uber driver. The next time you take an Uber, look out for Steven, Justice, Harvey and Kylee. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with the drivers either. You never know what you could find out. Most of the people who drive for Uber enjoy it and look forward to getting to know new people.