The Meaning of Uber

When Uber launched in 2010, they promised drivers 90% of each fare. Today? Drivers often see just 30-50%. The exploitation happened gradually, deliberately, invisibly. This is the story of how a "revolutionary" company became just another way to extract wealth from workers.

The Slow Squeeze

The commission increase didn't happen overnight. Each change was small—a percentage point here, a "service fee" there. By the time drivers noticed, they were earning half what they started with.

The Original Promise

In the early days, Uber marketed itself as a revolutionary opportunity:

• "Be your own boss": Set your own hours, work when you want
• "Earn great money": $35/hour, more than most jobs
• "Simple and fair": 10% commission, clear pricing
• "Partnership": We succeed together

Thousands of drivers signed up, bought cars, and built their lives around this promise. Then, slowly, everything changed.

How They Did It

The erosion followed a predictable pattern:

Step 1: Build dependency (2010-2014)

• Attract drivers with genuinely good pay
• Encourage drivers to buy or lease vehicles specifically for Uber
• Create a sense of community and partnership

Step 2: Establish market dominance (2014-2016)

• Subsidize rides below cost to destroy taxi competition
• Become the default option for riders
• Trap drivers with few alternatives

Step 3: Extract value (2016-present)

• Gradually increase commissions from 10% to 25% to "variable"
• Add "service fees" that bypass the stated commission
• Remove fare transparency so drivers can't see what riders pay
• Cut per-mile rates while claiming "more rides will balance it out"

"When I started in 2014, I made $1,200 a week driving 40 hours. By 2020, I was making $700 for the same hours. Same car, same effort, half the money."

The Hidden Fees

Today's Uber fare includes fees that most riders never see and drivers don't receive:

• Booking fee: $2-3 per ride, goes entirely to Uber
• Service fee: Variable percentage on top of commission
• Safe rides fee: $1.75, supposedly for background checks (which cost pennies)
• Airport fees: Additional charges at pickup locations
• Surge multipliers: When prices surge, Uber's cut often increases disproportionately

A rider paying $30 might think their driver is getting $22.50 (after 25% commission). In reality, the driver might receive $12-15.

The Transparency Death

One of the most insidious changes was removing fare transparency:

• Before: Riders and drivers both saw per-mile and per-minute rates. Math was simple.
• After: Riders see "upfront pricing." Drivers see... a different number. The gap? Uber keeps it.

This "upfront pricing" lets Uber charge riders more during busy times while paying drivers the same low rate. The company pockets the difference.

What "Uber" Really Means

The word "uber" means "over" or "above" in German—as in, superior. It's an apt name for a company that has placed itself above:

• Labor laws (by classifying workers as contractors)
• Taxi regulations (by claiming to be a "technology platform")
• Basic fairness (by hiding how much they take from each ride)
• Worker welfare (by fighting every attempt at benefits or protections)

The Pattern Continues

There's no reason to believe the extraction will stop. As long as there are desperate people willing to drive, and as long as riders don't know the truth, Uber will continue squeezing. The 30-50% take rate of today could easily become 60-70% tomorrow.

The only solution is alternatives: companies that lock in fair rates, maintain transparency, and treat drivers as partners rather than resources to be exploited.