From pet rider to Uber-karaoke, app drivers are going viral by reinventing their routines

With them, every trip is a unique experience and also an opportunity to create content. On another front in the “Instagram” wave of careers, drivers for apps such as Uber and 99 have attracted attention on social media with unusual bets, ranging from a karaoke show to the brilliant presence of pets in the car, to reports of strange stories witnessed daily behind the wheel. Uber influencers rely on a little help from riders themselves to create records that generate a torrent of likes and views. Videos guarantee digital success and, in some cases, even additional income, but they require caution so as not to compromise privacy and lead to legal action.

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Arminio Pepa, an app driver for nine years, turned his car into a karaoke bar four months ago, complete with a microphone, colored lights and a screen to accompany the song. Every day, the driver roams the streets of Rio for about eight hours, and anyone who wants to join the fun posts his video on Instagram.

– I decided to do karaoke because I saw that people would stay on the phone and talk a little, and they were always frustrated. I never imagined it would take this much, it’s important.

Pippa estimates that 900 passengers have already spoken in his car and stresses that it is very rare for someone to refuse to sing. To avoid problems with posts, be sure to ask for permission to photograph and post:

-I’ve never had a problem. On the contrary, they keep sending me messages asking when I will publish.

Therapist and content creator Fernanda Cristina da Silva discovered Pipa on the social network and requested a private tour to enjoy karaoke with a friend. Kelly K and Anita were among the singers honored on the trip:

I wanted to know because I love singing and I was surprised by the experience. It was more wonderful than I had imagined. His energy is so contagious.

In Teresina, government employee Ariano Silva’s Uber service has also been a success, but the credit goes to Bruce, the two-year-old and nine-month-old French bulldog who accompanies him on his runs. The pet’s presence is announced by surprise to the passenger the moment they enter the car, and they can choose whether they want to spend the rest of the trip interacting with the pet.

— He started accompanying me by chance, when he was 4 months old and couldn’t be alone yet. My wife went to a birthday party somewhere she couldn’t take him, and I decided to keep him quiet in the car. My passengers loved it so much that I never stopped eating it, says the driver, who has nearly 600,000 followers on social media.

Public employee Ariano Silva gained fame for his work as an app driver with his French bulldog Bruce on the streets of Teresina - Photo: Personal archive — Public employee Ariano Silva gained fame for his work as an app driver with his French bulldog Bruce on the streets of Teresina – Photo: Personal archive

To add more magic, Bruce is always dressed in costumes ranging from bandits and McDonald’s hosts to Pikachu. On the day nursing student Estelle Sadia asked to take part in the race, he was a Palmeiras fan and wearing a Sao Paulo jersey.

-I was going to the mall with my daughter, who was 1 year and 10 months old at the time. It was a surprise, and because I love animals, it was a joy. Bruce is very docile, he even slept almost the entire flight, and he loved the affection he received – recalls the student.

Driver Michelle Guerra shares stories of her travels online. She went viral when she told the story of a passenger’s girlfriend who was attacked by jealousy when she heard Michelle call him by his first name – an identification that appears registered on the app.

Driver Michelle Guerra tells stories about her daily life on social media – Photo: Personal archive

Since then, his reports have become almost daily, like the day he picked up a married passenger who was escaping a hotel or when he had to take a passenger who had been shot to the hospital. With the success of the content, the driver began investing in her career as an influencer and creating partnerships and promotions, especially for car companies.

-The Internet has become a showcase. Those who know how to communicate and show their work open doors that never existed before. For me, it’s about turning my routine into an opportunity and inspiring other women to be independent, says Michelle.

Lawyer Fabio Manuel explains that there is no violation in the creation of the content, but warns that it is necessary to request permission for recordings and publication, in the event that passengers appear. You should be more careful if the driver is telling stories or showing photos from inside the car in a “hidden camera” style.

— Even if you cover your face, if there is any item that could identify the person, depending on what the driver says, this could lead to a lawsuit for defamation or slander.

The visibility also extends to motorcycle couriers. Among the profiles that show the daily life of the profession, the life of 99 Wagner driver Duarte Constancio stands out. There is only one difference: if you arrive at the start point of the ride and the passenger takes some time, your name will be called over the loudspeaker.

– The idea came to me when I went to make a delivery and the customer was not answering the phone. I saw a car selling fish and asked to use the loudspeaker. It quickly appeared. I decided to buy a speaker – recalls Wagner, who has been a motorcyclist since he was 18 years old.