Uber Wants to Hire 5,000 New Drivers in East Austin

Looking for a job in East Austin? Uber wants you.

The ride-hailing company is in the early stages of a huge recruiting effort to hire up to 5,000 new drivers in East Austin over the next year, according to a news release from the company. To fulfill their hiring goals, Uber is partnering with many local organizations such as The Austin Area Urban League, Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, NAACP Austin, and Dress for Success Austin.

According to the release, one in three Uber trips in the city begin or end in East Austin.

“We’re here today to thank and support a company that is spurring much-needed job creation and driving economic growth for minority communities and all of Austin,” said Teddy McDaniel, CEO of the Austin Area Urban League during an announcement for the recruiting campaign. “Uber and our partners gathered here today are working to break economic barriers by increasing access to transportation in East Austin and neighborhoods across the city.”

Uber’s employment drive comes as the city’s Mobility Committee considers if and how to regulate the company and others like it. Among the considerations is a $1 fee for every ride, minimum insurance coverage, certified background checks for drivers, and fingerprinting.

Uber has held recruiting events with their partners since September, and will hold two more this month. The first takes place at the Urban League on October 7 and the second at Dress for Success Austin on October 14. Both events will run from 8-11 a.m.

Uber already has 10,000 drivers in Austin, according to the Austin Business Journal. Uber drivers chose the company over traditional taxi services for higher pay and more control over a flexible work schedule, according to a statement released by Uber. Uber drivers have the ability to decide when they want to work; they just log on to the Uber platform and they’re connected with customers looking for a ride.

“We will focus our efforts on Austinites on the east side looking for a flexible way to supplement their income and who are interested in using the Uber platform to help achieve their financial goals,” Uber’s news release said.

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People who can’t make the recruiting events, but still want to drive for Uber, can sign up online.