This interview has been edited lightly for clarity.
“You’re awake when the world is asleep. It changes how you see things.”
So Karim, when does your shift usually start?
I usually leave the house around eight or nine at night. I’ll grab a coffee, fuel up, and just see where the night takes me. Some nights it’s airport runs, others it’s pubs, sometimes hospital drop-offs. I finish around five or six in the morning. Then I go home, have a meal, and sleep while the rest of the world is starting their day.
Do you prefer nights over day shifts?
Yes, always. Day shifts are chaos. Traffic, school runs, people in a rush, constant calls. At night, it’s quieter. You get time to think. You also get people who want to talk. Sometimes the silence is nice too. I like being a ghost in the city. Seeing it empty. Breathing.
“Some nights are calm. Others feel like a movie.”
What’s the strangest ride you’ve ever had?
Strangest? That’s hard. I’ve had a man ask me to drive him to propose, then later to the pub alone because she said no. I once had a woman get in crying, completely silent the whole ride, then just say “thank you for not asking anything” and walk away. The weirdest are the ones that feel normal but leave you thinking about them for days. Like the man who told me about his brother’s funeral, then gave me a five-star review with a note saying I made him feel safe. That one stuck.
Do you ever feel unsafe at night?
Less than you’d think. But you have to read people fast. I trust my gut more than anything. If someone seems too drunk, or they start getting aggressive, I just cancel. I’ve learned that no fare is worth feeling uneasy. Most people are fine though. Just tired, drunk, sad, or lost. Nights bring all of that out.
“You learn to manage your energy. You don’t fight the night.”
How do you stay awake through the whole shift?
I don’t rely on caffeine too much. It messes me up the next day. I eat before I leave. I keep the windows open sometimes. I play music. I talk to other drivers on the radio or group chat. And I pace myself. If the city’s dead, I take a break. Have tea. Walk around. If I push too hard, I make mistakes. That’s when trouble starts.
Do you get lonely?
Sometimes, yes. It’s a strange feeling to be up when the whole world is asleep. I see bakeries opening at dawn, early joggers, cleaners. It’s peaceful, but also a little alienating. That’s why some drivers park next to each other, just to chat for a few minutes. We don’t always talk about the job. Sometimes it’s football. Family. Jokes. That helps.
“This job teaches you about people. But it also teaches you about yourself.”
What advice would you give someone starting night shifts?
Be patient. Don’t rush into picking up anyone. Trust your gut. Take care of your body. If you feel something’s off, listen to it. Also, know when to switch off. Some drivers take things home with them. Bad conversations, awkward rides. You can’t carry that. Leave it in the car.
And finally, what keeps you going?
I’ve met every kind of person in this job. That alone makes it worth it. But also, I like being part of the city’s rhythm. It’s like seeing the world backstage. There’s beauty in that. Not everyone notices it, but I do.
Night driving isn’t for everyone. But for those who choose it, it becomes more than just a job. It’s a different way of seeing the world. And yourself.
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