With all the tourism Galena attracts, especially during the fall season, rideshares, such as Uber and Lyft, are a resource many tourists need to get around town. In the fall of ‘22, our very own Mrs. Bookless started Uber/Lyft driving and has recently picked it up again. “I went back to it because one of the guys who drives for the General’s Express was in an accident and so they are down a driver.” Bookless shares, “I knew they would need some help, especially during this busy season.”
When Bookless first started Uber/Lyft driving she did it because of how spacious her car was and figured she could use the extra source of income as “Disney Fund” money. When Bookless recently got back into ridesharing, she is now only a driver for Uber because Lyft is no longer an approved ridesharing service in the city of Galena.
As for Bookless’ hours as a driver, she mostly drives on the weekends and the time of day depends on her kid’s schedules. Typically, Bookless ends up driving on Saturday nights as it saves most tourists the struggle of finding parking downtown. “I love being an Uber driver. People are usually so grateful that I am available and that they don’t have to drive and park in Galena,” Bookless comments about her experience as a rideshare driver.
Bookless’ routes usually consist of picking up customers from their hotel and bringing them downtown for the night, which usually costs around $5. She says that most people tip and generally she’ll make $20-$25 per hour.
Being a driver typically for tourists, Bookless gets to interact with all kinds of people. One story Bookless revealed is about a couple from the Galena Territory. “Last weekend, I picked up a couple in the Territory -,” Bookless explains, “and they had been drinking, but wanted to go to Casey’s to get more drinks and snacks, and then wanted me to take them back to the Territory. We talked the whole time and it was so fun.” She also shares that sometimes she has less talkative customers, which is all good with Bookless as it’s nice having a break from awkward small talk.
