06-05-2025
Grand Strand Uber drivers concerned over lower rates ahead of Myrtle Beach Classic
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic is right around the corner, which is typically good news for Uber drivers looking for additional customers.
Myrtle Beach Uber drivers say big events like the Myrtle Beach Classic were events they once banked on making a substantial profit.
But now, those drivers say that since the upfront pricing feature started, their overall profitability has decreased to an alarming rate.
'So many people have done Uber in the past and then they stop doing it, start doing it, then stop,' Pedro Irigoyen said. 'It's because they see that throughout the years, it's always been . . . end up paying you a little bit less, a little bit less, a little bit less.'
Drivers who have Ubered for eight years say the new upfront pricing shows the estimated fare drivers would be making during a given ride — which now shows them shocking amounts less.
'When Uber started in this area, we can make up to $1,000 in a weekend, three or four days,' Irigoyen said. 'But now, to get to those amounts, to get to make $1,000, you got to maximize your hours and drive like seven or eight days straight. It's not stable enough for me because I have a family. I have kids I have to provide for.'
Gordon Mooneyhan, a full-time Uber driver, says the new changes may make him switch to a new rideshare experience completely.
'I've found a new one called WRIDEZ, and it looks to be a lot better because the driver gets 100% of the fare,' he said.
Irigoyen said another problem is not receiving requests for rides in the area he's near, creating potentially unsafe situations for customers and unprofitable situations for drivers.
'You've got somebody who has been drinking. Now you're going to make them wait 20 minutes to get picked up?' he said. 'They're going to be much more tempted to get in their car and drive drunk. Most of the time we either have to decline it and not take that trip because this will put us financially in the negative. It's getting to a point where I might stop.'
Both Irigoyen and Mooneyhan say due to recent changes in upfront pricing, their profit has been cut nearly 40 to 50%, making them unsure if this year's Myrtle Beach Classic will be worth doing Uber for because of the changes.
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Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here.
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