Effort underway to create more interest in Uber in Macon

An effort is underway to stir up more interest in Uber in Macon — a ride-hailing service poplar in most all large cities.

“We basically need as many people as possible to sign up as drivers and as many people as possible to sign up as riders so the market kind of will create itself out of that,” said Kevin McCauley, who set up a “Macon Needs Uber” Facebook page last month. As of Tuesday, the page had nearly 850 likes. “It’s just a grassroots effort to bring them here.

“You need drivers to get the riders, and you need the riders to get the drivers,” said McCauley, who moved back to Macon last fall from Nashville, Tennessee where he found Uber to be a handy way to get around town.

McCauley has multiple business interests. He is the social media manager for Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, managing owner of Better Brand Building LLC and chef instructor at Robinson Home in downtown Macon.

As of last week, there were apparently two approved drivers in Middle Georgia, but an effort to reach them for comment was unsuccessful. According to McCauley’s Facebook page, other people have signed up to be drivers and are waiting for approval.

Uber is a ride-hailing service that is accessed by both drivers and riders from a smartphone app. Drivers use their personal cars to pick up passengers who contact them through the app. Drivers turn on their app whenever they want to accept passengers, and riders can choose through their app which drivers to contact.

Both drivers and riders use their credit or debit cards for the service so no cash changes hands unless passengers want to tip. Riders not only can see a photo of drivers on their phone, but also they can track the driver’s route, and learn how much the fare will be before they accept a ride. When a trip ends, the rider approves the charge and it’s transferred from the passenger’s account to the driver’s account.

Macon bartender Matt Obelgoner said Uber would help businesses and help cut down on DUI offenses.

“I think business will increase because less people will have to drive home” from bars and restaurants, said Obelgoner,who tends bar at Billy’s Clubhouse and at The Hummingbird Stage and Tap Room. “And they can leave their cars at home.”

During a staff meeting at the Hummingbird recently, Obelgoner said employees were talking about Uber “and about the DUI situation.” So he signed up as a rider and saw a car available on his phone. He took a ride from the Hummingbird to El Sombrero Mexican Grill & Bar on North Avenue off Gray Highway and it cost $5.75.

“It doesn’t matter how many people are in the car,” he said. “Heck, you can’t beat it.”

He thought driving for Uber would especially be attractive to college students.

“They could just clock in when they have free time ... and make some extra money,” he said. “You already have people out there who are being (designated drivers) for their friends.”

Chynna Murphy, who lives in Peach County and works in Macon, said she “absolutely” would like to see Uber grow in Macon.

“I have used it in Atlanta,” she said. “If I go to concerts I’m parking at a friend’s house” and take Uber to the concert. “You have to pay a lot for parking at a concert.” Also, she likes the convenience of being dropped off and picked up at the door wherever she goes.

Recently she attended a bachelorette party in Asheville, North Carolina.

“We had a ton of ladies, and parking downtown and trying to get us all downtown safely while we’re going out, Uber was just the best option of us,” Murphy said. “We were fortunate to know someone who lived there who used it all the time. ... Sometimes we had to use two cars, but it was still the best option.”

One “really nice” driver offered snacks and gum to his passengers.

“He was a blast,” she said.

McCauley signed up as a driver last week, even though he said he has too much going on to add that to his plate.

“The only reason I’ve signed up as a driver is just to get this thing kick started,” he said. “It’s a very interesting business model.”

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Effort underway to create more interest in Uber in Macon."