Correlation between driver rating and quality
Apr 5, 2019, 4:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Correlation between driver rating and quality
Is it just me or has this correlation strengthened?
For years I've been accustomed to a weak relationship between a driver's star rating and their actual quality. Of course Uber removes poorly rated drivers so this weak correlation shouldn't be a surprise. Lately, however, I've noticed, riding UberX primarily in San Francisco and New York City, a near-deterministic mapping:
For years I've been accustomed to a weak relationship between a driver's star rating and their actual quality. Of course Uber removes poorly rated drivers so this weak correlation shouldn't be a surprise. Lately, however, I've noticed, riding UberX primarily in San Francisco and New York City, a near-deterministic mapping:
- 4.95 stars and up: smooth ride in a new, clean, comfortable car with a very friendly driver
- 4.90-4.94 stars: friendly driver in a car that is inferior (e.g., smaller or older) but still meets UberX standards
- 4.80-4.89 stars: friendly enough driver in a good enough car
- 4.70-4.79 stars: near certainty of a flaw that significantly affects comfort on the ride:
- aggressive driving
- loud music
- extreme air conditioning
- strong odor
- rolling down the window
Apr 6, 2019, 7:29 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3,097
I've noticed lots of drivers who like to have the windows down, but I've never had any pushback when asking them to roll them up, and I can't imagine deducting a star or considering that a "flaw". (obviously if they refused to roll the window up that would be a different story)
ditto for music, I've never had any pushback when asking for music turned down/off.
ditto for music, I've never had any pushback when asking for music turned down/off.
Apr 7, 2019, 8:27 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
Is it just me or has this correlation strengthened?
For years I've been accustomed to a weak relationship between a driver's star rating and their actual quality. Of course Uber removes poorly rated drivers so this weak correlation shouldn't be a surprise. Lately, however, I've noticed, riding UberX primarily in San Francisco and New York City, a near-deterministic mapping:
For years I've been accustomed to a weak relationship between a driver's star rating and their actual quality. Of course Uber removes poorly rated drivers so this weak correlation shouldn't be a surprise. Lately, however, I've noticed, riding UberX primarily in San Francisco and New York City, a near-deterministic mapping:
- 4.95 stars and up: smooth ride in a new, clean, comfortable car with a very friendly driver
- 4.90-4.94 stars: friendly driver in a car that is inferior (e.g., smaller or older) but still meets UberX standards
- 4.80-4.89 stars: friendly enough driver in a good enough car
- 4.70-4.79 stars: near certainty of a flaw that significantly affects comfort on the ride:
- aggressive driving
- loud music
- extreme air conditioning
- strong odor
- rolling down the window
Apr 7, 2019, 1:51 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Mosaic. AA Gold, National EE, Avis PC
Posts: 80
Given the post history, it may be just that the poster is trying to stir discussion, more than a concrete observation.
Or, as the quote goes, if you run into one bad driver, you ran into a bad driver.. if you run into bad drivers every time, you may be the problem, not them.
Personally, I notice no significant difference in those ranges.
Or, as the quote goes, if you run into one bad driver, you ran into a bad driver.. if you run into bad drivers every time, you may be the problem, not them.
Personally, I notice no significant difference in those ranges.
Last edited by bemis; Apr 8, 2019 at 7:57 am
Apr 22, 2019, 9:43 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,631
My 4.90 driver yesterday did not understand that if there's a ROAD CLOSED AHEAD sign, it is probably not a good idea to take that road, and then he froze at the point of "you can't drive through this way." He also came very close to taking me down the wrong freeway at the 80/580/880 split.
Apr 26, 2019, 4:42 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
It really depends on where you're riding.
In Boston, the higher rated Lyft drivers tend to be the worst (maybe they're newer?) and Lyft's ratings are meaningless since I've had some pretty bad drivers with a 4.9 rating, and also some really bad drivers with a 4.3 rating. Uber's ratings are mostly accurate across the board.
In Miami, ALL drivers have pretty low ratings on both Uber and Lyft, but I've actually never had any issues with these low rated drivers (except for one). Maybe people rate them low because they're all-business and not friendly/chatty?
In Boston, the higher rated Lyft drivers tend to be the worst (maybe they're newer?) and Lyft's ratings are meaningless since I've had some pretty bad drivers with a 4.9 rating, and also some really bad drivers with a 4.3 rating. Uber's ratings are mostly accurate across the board.
In Miami, ALL drivers have pretty low ratings on both Uber and Lyft, but I've actually never had any issues with these low rated drivers (except for one). Maybe people rate them low because they're all-business and not friendly/chatty?
Last edited by diburning; Apr 26, 2019 at 4:51 am
May 4, 2019, 12:56 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 811
Above 4.8 the car has always been clean, but other than that I haven't seen much of a consistent difference. I've had great drivers in older cars and 'meh' drivers in new cars.
I'll try to look out for any correlation on this going forward.
I'll try to look out for any correlation on this going forward.