Maybe they were talking about net[1], or maybe they have a large number of short trips? From memory (from talking with drivers), the formula is:
driverDollars = (fareDollars - 1)*0.8
If a driver is mostly taking people one or two blocks, the fares are going to be in the $3-5 range. That means the $1 "safe ride fee" (or whatever it's called) is already 20-30% of the fare, so Uber's total take on short rides is closer to 50%. It's one of the reasons drivers don't like short rides.
[1] edit: By net I mean after driving expenses, not after Uber's take.
I just talked with a driver. He said the 80% is correct, gross. Because everyone is a contractor the government takes another 30% on top of it. Plus they have to pay their own insurance, repair, gas, etc. so after everything is said and done, he makes about $13/hr. (This is inside San Francisco.)
driverDollars = (fareDollars - 1)*0.8
If a driver is mostly taking people one or two blocks, the fares are going to be in the $3-5 range. That means the $1 "safe ride fee" (or whatever it's called) is already 20-30% of the fare, so Uber's total take on short rides is closer to 50%. It's one of the reasons drivers don't like short rides.
[1] edit: By net I mean after driving expenses, not after Uber's take.