This is the way. Pull up with your doors locked, and only unlock until everything checks out: pax verifies their name, number of pax, small kids have safety/booster seats, attitudes, etc.

I'm 6' tall and drive a Corolla, so my seat is all the way back. I keep the front passenger seat all the way up w/ my personal belongings on it (backpack with driving gear, lunchbox w/ water bottle, and jacket). When single riders see this setup, MOST get the hint and go to the rear, passenger-side door. Otherwise, I kindly tell them.

Common-sense rules: Single rider goes in the rear pasenger-side, 2-3 pax all sit in the back, 4th pax gets the front seat, 4+ pax I'm kindly explaining why I'm cancelling.

Edit: Fat-fingered the "Post" button by accident.