A Driver's Diary: getride.tr in Istanbul 24 Hours

This article shares the daily experiences of Mehmet Usta, who has been a professional driver for 15 years on the getride.tr platform (his last name is withheld for privacy reasons). The writing is presented in the first person, without any edits, just as it is.

Before Sunrise: 04:30

My alarm went off at 04:30, as usual. I have been waking up at this hour for years. The traffic in Istanbul, airport transfers, and the expectations of my guests keep me awake at this hour. But today is a different day. Today marks exactly one year since I started working on the getride.tr platform. And I want to share this year with you as if it were just one day.

While sipping my coffee, I opened the getride.tr app on my phone. I checked the new job requests that had come in overnight. There were three transfers: one at 06:15 from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet for a businessman, one at 13:00 from Sabiha Gokcen to Kadikoy for a family, and one at 19:30 from Istanbul Airport to Besiktas for a couple. I accepted all three. The details for each were clearly stated in the app: number of passengers, number of luggage, flight number, special requests. This transparency gives me great confidence while doing my job.

I checked my vehicle. A black 2024 model Mercedes V-Class. As I do before every transfer, I cleaned the inside and outside, disinfected the seats, and restocked the water and wet wipes. The standards of getride.tr are very high; our vehicles must be no older than three years, fully insured, and clean for every trip. I am used to these standards because I have been doing this job for 15 years. But since I started working with getride.tr, I have come to understand how important these standards are.

First Passenger: 06:15 – From Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet

When I arrived at the airport, it was 05:50. The flight was coming from London and was expected to land at 06:10. The flight tracking in the app was automatically enabled; I could see the status of the plane live. The flight was delayed by 15 minutes. I waited. This wait was not a problem for me; according to getride.tr's policy, waiting during delays was free, and during this time, I could look at another job.

My passenger was Ms. Eleanor (name changed). She was coming from London and would be staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sultanahmet. In the app, her special request was noted as "a quiet journey." This was important information for me. When I greeted her, I said a friendly "Welcome," but avoided unnecessary conversation.

I took her luggage and placed it in the vehicle. The interior of the car was, as always, spotless and air-conditioned. When the passenger got into the car, I saw a look of relief on her face. After a long flight, having a vehicle waiting for her and being greeted with a sign bearing her name made her feel special. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of my job.

We set off towards Sultanahmet. The morning traffic in Istanbul had not yet intensified. Along the way, we enjoyed the view of the Bosphorus and the silhouette of the historic peninsula. The passenger quietly gazed out the window. Her silence was, in fact, an expression of satisfaction. Because at getride.tr, it is essential to act according to the passenger's requests. If they want silence, silence it is. If they want conversation, then conversation.

When we arrived at the hotel, the passenger thanked me and said, "This was the most comfortable airport transfer I've ever experienced." This sentence was worth more to me than a salary. Because this job is not just about driving a vehicle; it is also an art of hospitality.

Afternoon Passenger: 13:00 – From Sabiha Gokcen to Kadikoy

My second transfer was a family from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Kadikoy. The app indicated that the passengers had a baby and a 5-year-old child, as well as a stroller and 4 large suitcases. These details were very important to me; because I needed to prepare the right type of vehicle accordingly. At getride.tr, it is crucial for passengers to enter the correct number of luggage and passengers, as it makes things easier for both me and them.

I equipped my vehicle with a baby seat and a child seat. getride.tr offers these services for free; just mentioning it during the reservation is enough. When the family landed at the airport, I greeted them with a name sign. The children were tired, and the parents were stressed. But when they saw the vehicle and realized that the baby seat was ready, the look of relief on their faces was an indescribable feeling for me.

We set off towards Kadikoy. The bridge traffic was as heavy as usual. But thanks to getride.tr's fixed price guarantee, the passengers were not worried about the time spent in traffic. Because the price was locked in at the time of reservation. This was a great relief for me as well; because I could focus on my job without the worry of "how much will this cost?" from the passengers.

During the journey, the children slept in the back seat. The mother and father were quietly chatting. Meanwhile, I was trying to choose the fastest route by following the navigation in the getride.tr app. The app provided me with alternative routes using live traffic data. This is a significant advantage, especially in a traffic-heavy city like Istanbul.

When we arrived at the hotel, the family thanked me. The mother said, "Traveling with children is very difficult, but thanks to you, we got through this part very comfortably." Feedback like this makes my job even more meaningful.

Evening Passenger: 19:30 – From Istanbul Airport to Besiktas

My third and final transfer was a couple from Istanbul Airport to Besiktas. Their flight was coming from Paris and was expected to land at 19:00. However, due to weather conditions, the flight was delayed by 45 minutes. The app automatically updated this delay, and I was informed. I waited.

When the couple landed at the airport, I greeted them with a name sign. They looked tired. I took their luggage and placed it in the vehicle. The car was again spotless and air-conditioned. When the couple got into the car, the woman said, "Oh, finally!" This small sentence expressed a significant relief.

We set off towards Besiktas. The couple was going to stay at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski. During the journey, the couple asked me questions about Istanbul. I answered as best as I could. This was an enjoyable conversation for me; because at getride.tr, drivers are encouraged to provide guests with information about the city. This is not just a transportation service; it is also a city guiding service.

When we arrived at the hotel, the couple thanked me. The man said, "This transfer was the best start to our vacation." This sentence was the most beautiful reward of the day for me.

Night: 22:00 – Returning Home and Evaluation

When I returned home, it was 22:00. I had completed three transfers throughout the day; I had spent about 10 hours behind the wheel. But I was not tired. Because working with getride.tr is not just a job; it is also a lifestyle. Every transfer means a new story, a new person, a new experience.

I opened the getride.tr app and looked at the summary of the day. Three transfers, three satisfactions, three thank yous. Additionally, the ratings given to me by the passengers: 5 stars, 5 stars, 5 stars. These ratings are not just a number for me; they are also a responsibility. Because these ratings help future passengers choose me.

One of the biggest advantages of getride.tr is the transparent measurement of drivers' performance. After each transfer, passengers can rate the driver and leave comments. This allows drivers like me to improve themselves and gain the trust of passengers.

getride.tr After My Experience: What Has Changed?

Before starting to work with getride.tr, I worked on many different platforms and companies throughout my 15 years of driving experience. Some were good, some were bad. But getride.tr became a turning point for me. Why?

First, transparency. At getride.tr, everything is clear: price, vehicle type, passenger information, special requests. This makes it easier for me to plan my work. Additionally, passengers know exactly what they are paying for. This increases mutual trust.

Second, fixed price guarantee. This is a significant advantage not only for passengers but also for me. Because the time spent in traffic or route changes do not affect the price. This prevents any price disputes between me and the passengers.

Third, technological infrastructure. The getride.tr app is equipped with features like live location tracking, flight tracking, and in-app messaging. These features make my job easier and increase passengers' trust. For example, thanks to flight tracking, I can be at the airport at the right time even if the passenger's flight is delayed.

Fourth, fair commission model. getride.tr takes a 15% commission from carriers; it does not charge commissions from individual users and agencies. This increases the earnings of drivers like me. Additionally, thanks to the transparent earnings reports provided by the platform, I can see how much I earn at any moment.

Fifth, hospitality culture. getride.tr is not just a transportation platform; it is also a hospitality platform. The training of drivers, passenger satisfaction, and continuous improvement are among the core values of the platform. This makes the work of drivers like me more meaningful.

My Recommendations as a Driver

I have a few recommendations for my fellow drivers who work with or are considering working with getride.tr:

Always keep your vehicle clean. When passengers step into the vehicle for the first time, the cleanliness they see determines the comfort they will feel throughout the journey.

Pay attention to passengers' special requests. Every detail written in the app is there for a reason. If they want silence, silence it is. If they want a child seat, a child seat it is. These details are the key to guest satisfaction.

Do not neglect flight tracking. Flights can be delayed or canceled. In such cases, continuously check flight tracking to avoid keeping the passenger waiting.

Be cheerful. A smile can sometimes be more effective than a thousand words. Passengers may be tired and stressed in a foreign country. Your cheerful demeanor can brighten their day.

Follow the platform's rules. The standards set by getride.tr are for the safety of both you and the passengers. Adhering to these rules is ultimately in your best interest in the long run.

From a Passenger's Perspective: A Passenger's Diary

This section narrates the experience of a passenger, Ms. Eleanor, who transferred from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet with getride.tr.

"I landed in Istanbul from London after a long and exhausting flight. At the airport, I was greeted with a sign bearing my name. My driver, Mr. Mehmet, was friendly and professional. He took my luggage and placed it in the vehicle. The car was spotless and air-conditioned. I remained silent during the journey because I had requested 'a quiet journey' in the app. Mr. Mehmet respected this request. When we arrived at the hotel, I felt very comfortable and safe. This was the best airport transfer I have ever experienced. I recommend getride.tr to everyone."

Conclusion: getride.tr in a Day, a Lifetime

As a driver, I shared a day spent with getride.tr with you. This day was, in fact, a summary of a year. Every transfer is a new story; every passenger is a new experience. But there is one thing that remains unchanged: the quality, safety, and hospitality offered by getride.tr.

If you, as a passenger, are looking for comfort, safety, and transparency in airport transfers, getride.tr is just for you. If you, as a driver, are looking for a fair income model, a transparent platform, and a culture of hospitality, getride.tr is waiting for you.

Remember, every journey is a story. And the most beautiful stories begin with getride.tr.

getride.tr Contact Information:
Phone & WhatsApp: +90 850 255 8080 (24/7)
Telegram & Max: +90 530 923 2343
Email: [email protected]
Website: getride.tr
App Download: getride.tr/passenger/download