How a Syracuse Uber Driver Became Loved Throughout a City
Transcript
BEN GOODMAN:
NEVER TAKE CANDY FROM A STRANGER, BUT IF ONE SYRACUSE UBER DRIVER PICKS YOU UP WITH A “CANDYMAN” BUMPER STICKER, TAKE A LOT OF IT. SYRACUSE NATIVE TROY BOYER STARTED DRIVING FOR UBER IN 2016 WITH A PACK OF DUM DUMS AND L.E.D LIGHTS IN THE BACKSEAT. NOW, HE HAS MULTIPLE CANDIES AND DRINKS TO CHOOSE FROM AND IS KNOWN AS THE SYRACUSE CANDY MAN. BOYER SAYS AS GAS PRICES INCREASE, THE STUDENTS’ ENERGY IS WHAT KEEPS HIM ON THE ROAD.TROY BOYER: “It was just the energy, because I love that energy that you guys possess up here, which is crazy energy, and I just love that.”
GOODMAN:
BOYER SAYS AFTER COMPLETING TEN THOUSAND TRIPS, HE CAN COUNT ALL THE BAD RIDES ON ONE HAND. HIS FIVE STAR RATING OVERALL SHOWS HOW MUCH RESPECT THE STUDENT BODY HAS FOR HIM. SOPHOMORE JASON CURRIE RIDES WITH BOYER OFTEN AND SAYS HE CREATES A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL RIDERS.JASON CURRIE: “With all the lights and stuff going on inside, I feel like it really is a really nice party environment for people to have a good time on their way to wherever they have to go.”
GOODMAN:
WHEN ASKED IF RISING PRICES IN CANDY AND GAS WOULD KEEP HIM OFF THE ROADS, HE SMILED AND SAID THIS IS WHAT HE WANTS TO DO FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. BEN GOODMAN, N-C-C NEWS.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – As a child, one was taught to never eat candy given by a stranger, but if an uber driver in a Dodge Durango with a “Candy Man” sticker picks you up, eat as much as you want.
At least that’s what the rules of the car say to do.
Syracuse native Troy Boyer began driving for Uber in July of 2017 with a pack of Dum-Dums and Jolly Ranchers in the backseat. He installed L.E.D lights and continued adding candy to his collection over the next several months, as riders began to coin Boyer the “Cuse Candyman,” something he said was difficult to get behind.
“I never wanted to be known for that, because anyone could look at me and say I’m crazy,” Boyer said. “But it became a hit and kids showed so much love, I had to keep doing it.”
Boyer said he works for the Onondaga County Water Authority on weekdays, where he puts half of his pay into Uber. He gets his “candy machine” washed at Delta Sonic, refuels his gas tank and restocks his candy. Then he begins to offer rides at night, which he said is most enjoyable due to the vigor of his riders.
“It was just the energy,” Boyer said. “I love that energy that you guys possess up here, which is crazy energy, and I just love that.”
Currently, Boyer has completed more than 10,000 trips and holds a remarkable 4.99/5 star rating. Syracuse University sophomore Jason Currie made sure to add another five stars after his ride with the Candyman, as he said Boyer created a welcoming environment for all riders.
“With all the lights and stuff going on inside, I feel like it really is a really nice party environment for people to have a good time on their way to wherever they have to go,” Currie said.
Boyer has no plans on halting rides anytime soon, as he smiled and said his love for Syracuse will always keep him on the roads.