PCO Car Hire Tips to Reduce Idle Time Between Rides
We all know the frustration that comes with sitting idle and waiting for the ride-request that never comes. Every idle minute means you are not earning, with the thought of paying your PCO car hire fee adding to the stress.
You are burning fuel and adding to the wear without getting anything in return. In this article, we will offer PCO car hire tips to help PCO drivers reduce idle time and maximise their earnings.
Article Highlights
This article covers tips for PCO drivers to reduce idle time, including:
- Thinking beyond the app’s heatmap
- Using multiple apps
- Smart positioning, and more.
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Don’t Just Use the App’s Heatmap
Every other driver sees the same maps. This causes the surge to vanish quickly, and you may end up in a queue that stretches for several minutes.
Airport runs are the same story. They look attractive on paper, but the waiting time to earning time ratio can be appalling unless you time your airport runs perfectly. Drivers who earn more through airport runs follow the flight schedules. If you are just following the app’s suggestions, you are already late.
Apps like Citymapper and Flightradar24 are your window into where crowds and flights are moving. Check the events listings and be around the venue 15 to 20 minutes before the show ends.
Use Multiple Apps
Drivers who stick to just one app face more idle time. Consider using multiple apps to maximise your earning time. When Uber is quiet in Paddington at 3 PM, Freenow could be pinging in that area, or Bolt might have a promotion running.
You don’t have to be active on all apps at the same time. Keep one app as your primary and the others on standby. Your primary app gives you the most consistent work, but if you get a ping on a secondary app, take it only if it’s a more profitable trip. Once you accept a job, go offline on all the others.
Also Read: Should You Use Uber, Bolt, and FREENOW Simultaneously
Need a PCO car in London? Hire a car ready for Uber, Bolt, and other platforms from Fleeto. Our all-inclusive PCO car hire plans cover everything you need in a fixed weekly fee.
Know Where to Position Yourself
Parking next to a cluster of other private hire vehicles is a recipe for disaster. Passengers open their app and see six available cars within a few metres of each other. The algorithm sends ride requests to drivers with high priority, and the rest of you just sit there watching.
To avoid this, experienced drivers use the “slow roll” strategy. Instead of parking up, you move between 10 and 15 miles per hour through different areas to find one with high demand. There are many benefits of this approach. For instance, it keeps you visible to the algorithm as an active driver and helps you find passengers whom other drivers cannot.
Use Destination Mode
The fourth tip in our list of PCO car hire tips is to use the destination mode. Most drivers use this mode at the end of the shift, but it’s helpful to reduce dead miles. Smart use of destination mode can help you find high-demand areas that keep you busy.
Suppose you have just dropped someone off in Croydon at 2 PM during low demand. You know Central London will pick up around 4 PM, but you do not want to drive all the way into Zone 1 empty. That is 30 minutes and about £10 in fuel for nothing.
With destination mode, you can set your destination to Waterloo or London Bridge. The app will now prioritise trips heading in that general direction. Before you know it, you have hopscotched your way into Central London and earned fares instead of just burning fuel.
Charge Your EV During Slow Hours
For EV drivers, the best approach is to charge their cars at home overnight or use free EV chargers in London. If you don’t have a home charging setup, top up your EV during slow hours. EVs take a long time to charge, and powering your car during peak hours can lead to missed fares.
The mid-morning period between about 10 AM and 11:30 AM is ideal for rapid charging. The morning rush is finished. People are at work. School runs are done, and lunch demand has not started yet. If your battery is low, plug in for a rapid charge to get back up to 80% in just about 30 minutes.
Conclusion
Idle time is the biggest profit killer for private hire drivers. Time is money in the PCO world. Every minute you are not driving is the minute you are not earning. If you’ve been struggling to get ride requests outside of peak hours, our PCO car hire tips above can help maximise your earnings. Follow them and keep visiting Fleeto for more tips and updates for private hire drivers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to reduce idle time as a PCO driver?
The best way to avoid idle time is to use multiple apps and be aware of high-demand areas that heatmaps don’t always show.
How to reduce driver fatigue?
Take breaks every 2-3 hours, stay hydrated, and keep energy bars or fruit in your car. If you are struggling to maintain focus due to fatigue, park in a safe place and take a nap.
What are the best foods to avoid fatigue while driving?
Coffee, nuts, and green tea are some of the best foods to stay active while driving. You can also take energy drinks, but their overconsumption can be harmful.
Does chewing gum help you stay awake while driving?
Yes, studies show that chewing gum keeps your brain alert and improves your reaction time as well.
What are the best vitamins to boost energy?
You can use vitamin C, iron and magnesium to stay active during long driving shifts.
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