Meet the multi-tasking Uber drivers who make London run smoothly

From launching a tech business to flexible parenting, Susannah Butter discovers what’s driving your driver
Uber driver Ilana Hundadze at Uber HQ
Daniel Hambury

Uber drivers are the superheroes who make London run smoothly. Knowing your five-star

ride is two minutes away instantly makes you feel calmer about the world. But who are these driving deities? Uber recruitment is up, with more than 25,000 drivers on the road in London at the moment and more applications than ever.

For many it’s a first job or a jumping-off point to a bigger plan — a way to network and secure investment for businesses, build contacts or fund another project. Meet the men and women behind the wheel.

The Uber plate-spinner

Ilana Hundaeze, 35,

lives in Maida Vale

Rating 4.9

Daniel Hambury

“I have three jobs: working in a car showroom, launching my acting career and driving an Uber. Driving helps me with contacts and I can manage my own time to fit in castings. I started working for Uber after taking one myself. I was on a reality TV show back home in Latvia, then I came here and was a restaurant manager but didn’t know what to do next.

“People often tell me I’m their first ‘Uber lady’. I feel safe in the car because the app has a record of the customers and Uber is good for women and mothers because it is flexible. Hopefully it will create an app for people who just want female drivers.

“One guy I was driving had recently been through a divorce and I gave him chocolate; another was nervous before a job interview so I calmed him down. Sometimes they are intoxicated and fall asleep — I just put the music up louder.

“I got my showroom job through Uber — my boss took a car with me and offered me work. From 9am until 7pm I work there, then from 7pm until midnight I am driving. Uber is addictive, you think you’re going home then more jobs come up. My boyfriend, who is an investment banker, gets annoyed when I text late that I’m going to do just one more job before seeing him.”

The Uberpreneur

Viktor Nyics, 37,

lives in Surrey

Rating 4.86

Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures

“Uber is the best networking tool there is because you are driving in the most exciting city on the planet. I am using it to launch my app, vixt.co, which turns text messages into video. Driving around allows me to collect feedback and understand my users. Now we are fundraising — and Uber is invaluable. One of our main investors was a passenger. I picked him up, we started talking about the app and now he has invested a decent amount.

“The best thing to do is start at 7am in Fulham, then you pick up people going into the City. You have a good length of time to have a conversation. Other people are paying to be introduced to developers at pitching events but when I’m driving my car they pay me, and I’m getting contacts and properly talking to investors.

“I’ve met people who work in social media for Netflix, and wives of venture capitalists who have put me in touch with their husbands. It allows me to get into offices I never would have been to otherwise.

“I work around 40 hours a week for Uber. My computer is always in the car and I catch up on emails while I’m waiting for passengers. Once the app is launched I won’t give up driving. I want to be that outrageous CEO who still drives an Uber.”

The best apps for Londoners

1/12

The Uberwoman

Gladys Mapanda, 57,

lives in Islington

Rating 4.9

Daniel Hambury

“People are surprised to have a female driver but then they relax and feel safe. Uber needs to try harder to recruit more female drivers. We have a group of Uber ladies who share advice.

“What I like about Uber is that it is run by a computer with no gender bias. When I heard of it in 2013 I was working seven days a week as a minicab driver and only making £500-£600. They wouldn’t give the women as many jobs as the men during the week so I’d end up working 10 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. My male colleagues were doing less work than me and earning double. I didn’t like nagging them to give me work.

“Now, I decide how much I want to make each week and work accordingly. Usually it’s £750 and 40 to 50 hours — I’ve become lazy. I start when I feel like it and I get to see my granddaughter more — Uber is good for women with young children because you can adapt it to your schedule.

“Uber is like fishing. If you aren’t getting anything in a certain area you move on. I have the passenger app too so I can monitor the competition in the area. Euston station is my favourite place because it’s always busy.”

The Uber dad

Farrukh Alladin, 40,

lives in Hounslow

Rating 4.9

Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures

“My wife works as cabin crew for British Airways and we have three kids — aged six months, three and six. That’s why I left my job in the robbery squad of the police force to spend more time with them. Driving an Uber pays better than the police (around £1,100 a week) and allows me to be my own boss and see my family. The kids aren’t allowed in my car, though. If it’s busy and sunny I can extend my hours but it doesn’t intervene in your social life, you can take time off for lunch.

“I have customers who have let their personal chauffeurs go or have sold their cars because the standard of Uber is so good. Paris Hilton came in my car, she was nice and shook my hand. I’ve had Olly Murs, Sachin Tendulkar the cricketer and Venus Williams.”

The Uber-flexer

Steve Rowe, 66,

lives in Crouch End

Rating 4.9

Daniel Hambury

“When my wife died of ovarian cancer in 2006 I took two years out of my job as a creative entrepreneur because I wanted to be with my children. By 2008 I was ready to go back but the whole world went into financial crisis. The only way to make money was through driving.

“I worked at a chauffeuring agency but there was pressure to take every job. I signed up to Uber during the Olympics — it pays on time, takes a similar commission to other companies and the only pressure is to keep your ratings up.

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