Wow, look at all the opinions on here about how people judge a good ride/driver. Can you imagine why it's difficult for them to determine what is going to get them a tip?
Empathy: The intellectual identification of the thoughts, feelings, or state of another person.
Sure, I get that some drivers just plain suck. Everyone can agree on that. But, all you're asking for is a safe ride that is more predictable and less expensive than a taxi. What made you think you are owed your favorite communication style, music, expected type of car, a free stop at a liquor store, or preferred air freshener?
I make an above average income for the DC area but thought it would be cool to go back to my blue collar roots to pay for my kids college fund, rather than adjusting other things.
Turns out, it's not cool. Not cool at all.
I could tell it wouldn't be economically feasible fairly quickly, yet I stubbornly did it for a year because I wanted to be wrong about what people will justify for their own benefit.
Uber/Lyft (I did both at the same time) assure drivers of a positive algorithm and the generosity of others (tips) as a main source of income, but they sell riders on a positive (undefined) experience and actively, but not blatantly, erode the concept of tipping.
I'm a comms pro in my full-time work (I think that statement narrows me down to 5% of the population, so I'm not giving identifiable info). Interpersonal skills are my strength. I was rated 5* consistently as a driver (both apps) and went above that. helped people w/their groceries, opened the door for them like they'd ordered a black car, etc. I thought it was fun to do what other people thought was beneath me. Yet, that translated to 8% tips on average.
Most people that rideshare regularly tip nothing. The average gets to 8% because generous, infrequent riders tip 30% on average. I actually kept demographic stats on tipping from doing this, as sort of a statistical hobby.
But...No one is interested in crunching numbers, which I analyzed for quite a while. So, I'll just tell you that income-expenses means your driver makes 10-15/hr on most days. (Yes, I know NYC has some funky laws, but the app algorithm accounts for that. Whatever NYC says is the minimum, they're not making more).
If you're truly interested in an appropriate tip the apps don't make it easy for you to determine. You won't know how much of your total payment the driver receives. Maybe ask what the app said his/her estimated payout would be. Then...
What you should think about when tipping (Tier 1): Concern for your safety, basic communication, navigation skill. (Tier 2): Your total payment (keeping in mind that the driver MAY receive 50-80%), The driver's time (distance is paid much more than time. If you're stuck in traffic - sucks for you to be late for your HJ, but the driver is burning fuel while making gross $6/Hr, trying to get you to a toothless crack whore who will then make a shit load more off you than the driver.
To repeat one of my other posts;. Money, sex, and/or power are the motivating factors of men. If you don't want to give your driver a reach around, maybe you should realize you control what he/she receives and should act accordingly, based on fairness and your nature.