I've used Uber and Lyft a lot in the last ~4 years, and I've realized that there are essentially two different types of drivers: professional, full-time drivers

I've used Uber and Lyft a lot in the last ~4 years, and I've realized that there are essentially two different types of drivers: professional, full-time drivers who hyperoptimize, and part-time/after-hours drivers that do it to pull in a little bit of extra cash. The hypothetical driver best represented by this article is of the second type, and no doubt that working this way doesn't really make you a good hourly wage, especially after the hidden costs mentioned. I'd like to see an analysis of profitability for drivers in the first category. I have met drivers who specifically bought Priuses to drive for Uber/Lyft because of the 50+ mpg and low-ish maintenance costs - just look at the ride-sharing section of the SEA-TAC parking garage and you'll know what I mean. Speaking with this sort of driver, they seem to have done the math on maximizing return based on surge pricing (i.e. driving in the city Friday/Saturday 7pm-2am), practice driving that maintain vehicle quality and fuel efficiency, and are extremely time-efficient in parts of the ride that are within their control. If even this sort of driver can't make a good wage, then the system is certainly unsustainable. But if it's possible to make a good wage in this fashion, I hesitate to pass judgment before seeing a breakdown of the distribution of hourly earnings across all drivers.