Inside the Life of a Splend Driver: Meet PCO Extraordinaire Tiago

We’re thrilled to kick off our new series with a feature on long-time Splend customer Tiago. An experienced PCO driver, Tiago has honed his strategy over the years to thrive on London’s roads, adapting to challenges and making the most of every opportunity.

Let's chat to Tiago as he shares his top learnings and tips for PCO driving in London.

Flexibility is key

For Tiago, flexibility is the cornerstone of success, something that Splend understands. Just as we tailor our services to suit the needs of PCO drivers, Tiago adapts his driving strategy to stay ahead of the curve.

“In this job, you need to be clever. With changes to the Congestion Charge and the impact of COVID-19, you have to adapt your strategy to be successful,” Tiago explains.

Drive for multiple rideshare apps

One of Tiago’s top tips is to diversify your opportunities by signing up for multiple rideshare platforms. Each app attracts a different audience and offers incentives to stimulate demand at various times. Over time, you’ll learn when it’s best to go online with each app.

Here’s how Tiago allocates his driving time across apps:

• Uber – 30% of the time: Uber remains a top choice for tourists who trust the brand. Tiago focuses on Uber around airports and train stations, and he anticipates increasing his Uber usage to 50% when tourism fully recovers.

• Ola – 30% of the time: Tiago has seen Ola grow in popularity, especially within London’s subcontinental communities. He expects Ola’s user base to expand further, bringing more opportunities.

• Free Now – 30% of the time: Free Now offers the flexibility to book both taxis and private hire vehicles, ensuring steady demand. Tiago values the platform for its reliability.

• Bolt – 10% of the time: While Bolt’s demand has fluctuated during economic uncertainty, Tiago still recommends signing up to maximise opportunities as the platform regains traction.

Earnings and the current PCO landscape

Before the pandemic, Tiago was earning £1,000–£1,100 per week across six days of driving. Post-pandemic, his earnings have adjusted to £800–£900 for the same schedule.

“The money is there, but you have to work a little harder until things go back to normal,” he shares.

Maximising earnings with private clients

Over time, Tiago has built a portfolio of private clients, supplementing his rideshare income. Working with a minicab company, he earns an additional £100–£200 per day from airport transfers and private jobs.

One of his standout experiences includes a private trip to Cornwall, taking a family on holiday, a reminder that building relationships through excellent service can open doors to new opportunities.

Best days to work

Tiago recommends driving from Friday through Sunday, as demand tends to peak over the weekend. On the flip side, Tuesday and Wednesday are quieter, making them ideal rest days to recharge.

Other income opportunities as a PCO driver with Splend

We asked Tiago whether he has any other financial tips for fellow drivers. He recently introduced his uncle to Splend through our referral program, which has earned him £200 credit towards his weekly ownership payment for his Kia Niro, and who also received a credit on his setup fee.

Although he focuses most of his attention on ridesharing these days, he sees parcel and food delivery apps as great alternatives for when rideshare demand is low.

About Splend

At Splend, we believe in drivers. We know their vehicles need to work harder than most; that they drive more miles than most; that their insurance is hefty; their maintenance costs high and that they can face unreasonable finance rates – which is a heavy load to carry on their own.

That’s why at Splend, we exist to support rideshare drivers with a new model, that takes all those car ownership costs, and provides them for less, with lower purchase prices, better rates, lower servicing and insurance costs – all for one weekly repayment, all in one place.