The Great Windy City Uber Hunt: How Many Drivers Does it Take to Change a Tire (and Get You Tacos)?
Ah, Chicago. City of broad shoulders, deep-dish pizza, and... a whole heck of a lot of Uber drivers. But just how many, you ask? That's a question that's more puzzling than a rogue deep-dish topping (looking at you, pineapple).
The Numbers Game: Shedding Light on the Ride-Share Rodeo
Uber keeps its driver numbers close to the vest, tighter than a Chicago Bears fan's grip on their hopes during the draft. But fear not, intrepid data detective! We can sift through the clues and get a sense of the ridesharing landscape.
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Flashback to 2018: A news article claims a whopping 67,000 combined Uber and Lyft drivers were cruisin' the streets [insert image of a sea of cars with mustaches because why not].
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Post-Pandemic Puzzle: The pandemic put a damper on many things, including ride-hailing. Some drivers took a break, while others discovered the joy (or should we say, terror?) of homeschooling.
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The Great Driver Rebound: As things (mostly) get back to normal, whispers suggest driver numbers are on the rise again.
So, How Many Uber Drivers Are There Really?
Honestly, my friend, that's the million-dollar question (or should we say, six-pack of deep-dish dollar question?). Here's the best answer I can give you:
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Enough to get you a ride (most of the time): You probably won't be stranded like a forgotten cheese curd at the bottom of the bag.
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More than you can count while waiting for your hot dog (dragged through the garden, naturally): There's a good chance you'll see several Ubers zoom by while contemplating the finer points of ketchup-on-hot-dog etiquette.
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Less than the number of hot dog stands (because, seriously, Chicago): While the Windy City boasts a seemingly endless supply of hot dog stands, Uber drivers might not quite match that density (yet!).
The bottom line: There are a ton of Uber drivers in Chicago, ready to whisk you away on your next adventure. Whether it's a trip to Wrigley Field (Go Cubs!), a deep-dish date night, or a late-night taco run (because, priorities), you can (probably) snag a ride in a flash.
P.S. If your Uber driver ends up needing a tire change, you might be waiting a while. Maybe offer to grab them a hot dog while they wait?
