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Otto Life Stories #8: Mahen
Mahen Alexander escaped persecution in Sri Lanka to build a new life. He shares his fascinating story, along with money-saving tips for new drivers and reveals where to get the best mutton biryani in London.
Tell us a little about your family background?
I’ve worked as a PCO driver for six years but I have lived in the UK since 1997, when I came over from Sri Lanka to do a masters degree in computer science.
Did you come here to study or because of the political problems in Sri Lanka?
A bit of both but especially the political situation. I’m one of the Tamil people who are a minority over there. We had a brutal war and genocide.
That’s terrible. Were any of your family affected?
We were lucky, as we lived in the capital Columbo. However, the houses of some other Tamil families were destroyed with boiling tar and many did not survive. It was not good for Tamils.
So you made a better life for yourself in London?
Yes. I was into computer programming but unfortunately I couldn’t get any good jobs here. So I began tutoring in college and then I moved into retail for 11 years.
That’s a leap. Did you enjoy that type of career?
It was not enough money to cover my family expenses as I have three kids who are big boys now. Also, you have to stand all the time and an 8-hour shift was really 10 hours because I was a manager.
That sounds like a really hard gig?
Standing for so long gave me hip and back problems. I was an unlucky man but I didn’t give up. I thought: sitting and driving is OK, so I started this (PCO) work – and once money comes, you forget everything.
Read more: How to become an Uber driver in London?
How is Uber driving working out for you?
It’s giving me three times more than I earned in retail. That’s before I pay for the car and tax, yet the more hours you put in, the more money in your pocket. And nobody can reject my holiday dates. I am the boss.
Read more: How much do Uber drivers earn in London?
Has your overall health improved?
This car feels fine to me all day. It’s only a Kia e-Niro but has the same facilities as an S-Class Mercedes Benz. So many people don’t know how sophisticated it is.
What impresses you most about the Kia e-Niro?
Aside from being very comfortable, it’s the technology facilities. Things like smart cruise control and collision avoidance help to keep you safe, even while going around curves or in traffic.
Do you take on much motorway driving?
A bit of everything. I live in Amersham in Bucks and so sometimes come to Heathrow and back. I mostly cover the Watford area, places like Borehamwood, and only work in London on Fridays and Saturdays.
Do these longer jobs affect the range of your electric car?
Not at all. Before I had this car, they gave me a Nissan Leaf and that was a problem. This car has a long-range battery and even in winter, it’s giving me 340 miles. In summer, it’s closer to 400 miles.
So a single charge gets you through the whole day?
Yes. I have a charging machine at home. Every day, I top-up overnight and even if I end up in Lewisham, which is far from where I live, there’s always more than enough to get home with maybe 100 miles left.
Really? That seems like a lot of range.
Officially, they say it’s 282 miles. If I put the AC or heater on the whole time, it goes down. But you don’t need this. You start maximum and then drop to one or two bars. If you stop, the whole range comes again.
What changes have you noticed in this job over the years?
There are more drivers now but passengers are requesting more jobs than ever too. More business is happening – and new opportunities. We can use train strikes or festivals, like Christmas, to earn more.
Read more: How to earn more during the winter?
What is the best advice you can give new PCO drivers?
Many drivers don’t schedule – and that’s a disaster if they get tired. I do a four-hour morning shift from 6am. Then I come home and rest before the evening shift from 5-10pm. Breaks are important.
Where is the best place for Sri Lankan food in London?
I like Wings on Preston Road in Wembley. It’s a proper restaurant and not expensive. The mutton biryani is only £6, which is half the price of other places. My style is to take it with one Sri Lankan Lion lager.
What are your plans for the future?
I’ve been with Otto Car for three-and-a-bit years. When my Rent 2 Buy + deal finishes, I will give this car to my wife and try a Tesla or something like that. I also hope to travel more and take longer holidays.
Want to learn more?
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