Written by journalist Peter Graczer, Accounts Director at Sputnik. Check him out at www.sputnik.co.nz

 

http://www.sputnik.co.nz

PETER GRACZER
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Peter Graczer is an editorial media generation specialist with a nose for a story and wide networks in the New Zealand media. He has a passion for technology and a gift for presenting complex ideas very simply, which makes him a perfect tech PR person. Peter has developed an impressive record of generating mainstream coverage for what seemed like complex ideas and obscure technologies, by finding an angle that is naturally relevant to everyday New Zealanders.

 

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“Uber has given me an opportunity to enjoy my retirement,” says Francis, 77, who has been a part-time uber partner for the past sixteen months, driving Uber for four hours a day.

Francis holds a PhD in inter-religious dialogue, a MBA in Technology management and Professional Degrees as a Chartered Surveyor in Property Valuation and in Construction Quantity Surveying. He retired from an active multiple disciplinary real estate consultancy practice in 2015 and then for six months he found live just too boring.

“I applied for many part time positions in my specialised fields of expertise including teaching, even in Schools (and I have taught part-time basis in Universities before) but my age appears to be a big stumbling block. My applications had not been given a chance even for an interview. Some organisations even suggest that I should volunteer my services for free.”

“In February 2015 my children suggested that I should try doing Uber and encouraged me to do the P-Endorcement Driver’s Licence and to have my car certified for carrying passengers.”

Francis says his primary motivation for becoming a driver was to keep his mind active, to stay young and up-to-date with modern songs or events and thus preventing the onset of dementia and other health issues associated with the aged population. His other motivation is farm for ideas from riders for articles in his website meant to encourage his six grandchildren and their friends to write their own stories and to read more. As an example, he learnt of “blockchain technology” from a rider and immediately took pains in googling this topic and wrote a simplified article concerning this subject on his website. Francis has invented the “Francis’ Rules for Sudoku” and has written books and articles on many ‘street-smart’ subjects like dealings with the“Champion Real Estate Agent”, understanding the opposing views of other special interest groups and even championing the rights of deprived landowners whose properties were compulsorily taken under the Public Works Act.

“I also enjoy driving, and, having moved here from Singapore in 1979 I know the streets of Auckland like the back of my hand.”

Looking even further ahead, Francis says driverless cars will have an impact on drivers like him, but he doesn’t think it will put him out of work completely.

“Have you seen the amount of work and disruption that goes on in Auckland city? How on earth could driverless cars cope with that?”

Francis has an impressive record with Uber having driven 4,446 trips and having 2,581rated trips, 93% of which with a 5 stars rating. His average rating for his latest 500 trips is 4.90. Among his many accolades from riders were:

“Lovely driver and made me feel like an old friend! Thanks Francis.”
“Thanks for looking after me.”
“Thanks for your life advice. I will never forget you. God Bless.”
“Perfect ride, Francis is a great driver, always kind and going above and beyond to make passengers feel comfortable. Thank you, Francis.”
“Very insightful. My most memorable uber ride ever? I’m serious. God bless this guy.”
“Thank you so much for being a grea driver, friend and nz + uber ambassador.”

“If you are a retiree and a holds a ‘gold card’ like me and still wants to be contributing to society’s and to your community’s wellbeing, why not consider the dignified part-time leisurely work as an Uber partner?” Francis added.

 

Read other Uber drivers’ opinion and stories at links below:

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/95780841/auckland-uber-drivers-share-thoughts-on-upcoming-election

 

https://publicaddress.net/speaker/confessions-of-an-uber-driver-ii-how-we-doing/