Tips for PCO Drivers to Minimise Downtime
Downtime is the time you are not driving or earning during your working hours. It’s one of the biggest fears for private hire drivers because high downtime means low earnings. For drivers on a PCO car hire plan, avoiding downtime is even more critical to keep up with their weekly fees.
Many factors cause downtime, including vehicle breakdowns and working in areas with low demand. Fortunately, you can maximise your driving hours with these few simple habits mentioned below.
Article Highlights
This article offers tips to minimise downtime, including:
- Care for your car
- Use multiple apps
- Manage your schedule smartly
- Use technology, and more.
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Care for Your Car
A neglected car breaks down often. Keep your car maintained to avoid breakdowns and enjoy smooth rides.
Although PCO hire companies service their vehicles regularly, it’s still your responsibility to keep your car in good condition. Do a pre-shift inspection daily. Walk around your car and check your tyre pressure. Low tyre pressure increases fuel consumption and the risk of punctures, causing downtime.
Next, check your fluid levels. Open the bonnet once a week to look at the coolant reservoir. Check the brake fluid and top up your screen wash. Low fluid levels affect your car’s performance and may also get you fined during a TfL spot check.
Use Multiple Apps
Do not rely on one platform. Use multiple apps because when Uber is quiet, Bolt might be surging. Diversifying the sources of ride requests is a basic tactic to minimise downtime.
However, make sure you don’t use all the apps at once. You might get overlapping requests, and declining requests can affect your cancellation score. Instead, use apps smartly. Make Uber your primary app during standard peaks. When the requests slow down, go offline on Uber and switch your focus to Bolt. Check its heat map to see where demand is rising.
Knowing when to switch an app keeps you on top of slow hours.
Also Read: Should You Use Uber, Bolt, and FREENOW Simultaneously
Hire a platform-ready PCO car from Fleeto and drive for Uber, Bolt, and other platforms worry-free. We offer in-house servicing and maintenance to keep our cars compliant all the time.
And Manage Your Schedule Smartly
Plan your day with purpose. Demand on weekdays surges in the mornings and evenings. However, weekends have completely different demand patterns.
Your driving area is also important.
Sunday mornings in Canary Wharf are quiet because businesses are closed. However, Sunday mornings in Camden Market are busy due to tourists.
Learn London’s demand zones to match your time and location. This will help minimise the downtime between rides.
Use Navigation Apps
Use navigation apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps to save time. These apps show traffic jams in real time and suggest quick alternative routes.
Turn on surge notifications and congestion zone alerts to be in the right place at the right time. Some drivers use a second phone to monitor the traffic map in London. A crash on the motorway can affect demand on connected routes. Knowing this early will help you avoid downtime.
In addition, identify your busiest times and most profitable areas. Use this information to determine what works and what doesn’t.
Also Read: Useful Tips for PCO Drivers to Avoid Passenger Complaints
Prepare for Weather and Events
The demand spikes instantly in the rain as people avoid public transport and open their apps to book minicabs. Check the forecast each morning. If the rain is predicted for 3:00 pm, be in the central zone by 2:45 pm and wait for the surge.
Major events also drive massive demand. Check London’s event calendar to note the concert times. Mark football matches at Wembley and see theatre openings. Your job is to be near the venue before the event ends to find more passengers with little to no downtime.
Plan for Emergencies
Things can go wrong at any time. A tyre may go flat, or the engine may fail. Sometimes, passengers can have emergencies as well.
Keep an emergency kit in your car for such situations. It should have a powerful torch and a tyre inflator. Jumper cables are also vital. However, your most important item is a phone charger because a dead phone means zero earnings.
Save your hire company’s emergency number for roadside assistance in case of breakdowns. Some reliable companies also offer replacement vehicles if your car is due for lengthy repairs. Make sure your car provider offers it to avoid downtime.
Also Read: Essential Tools PCO Drivers Should Have in Their Car
Start Earning Today.
Conclusion
Your time is your most valuable asset. Make the most of it with the strategies mentioned above. You don’t have to follow all these approaches at once. Pick one tip from this guide. Implement and master it, then add another. Small improvements offer great results over time.
London provides enough opportunities for private hire drivers. Your job is to grab them before others to stay on top of your weekly PCO car hire fees and other expenses. Do not just work hard. Work smart to reduce your downtime and boost your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is downtime for PCO drivers?
Downtime is any period when you’re logged in and working but not earning, usually due to low demand, traffic, or vehicle issues.
How can proper vehicle care reduce downtime?
Regular checks on tyres, fluids, and general condition help prevent breakdowns and avoid delays caused by mechanical issues.
Should I use more than one ride-hailing app?
Yes. Using apps like Uber and Bolt together helps you stay busy. If one app is quiet, the other may have higher demand.
Can navigation apps help minimise downtime?
Absolutely. Apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps help avoid traffic congestion, suggest quicker routes, and keep you productive on the road.
Why should PCO drivers plan for weather and events?
Rain and major events increase demand instantly. Being nearby before they start or end ensures fast pickups and less idle time.
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All our plans have fair terms with everything you need included for a fixed weekly fee. We also offer breakdown assistance with a replacement vehicle to minimise your downtime. Book your preferred car or call us for more details.
