Uber made the decision to apply a surcharge on its rates , this as a measure to help its drivers and delivery people in the United States in the face of the increase in the cost of gasoline.
“…the recent increase in gas prices has hit ride-sharing and delivery drivers. To help reduce the load, we are implementing a temporary fuel surcharge,” the company said in a statement.
According to the information released by the mobility company, the increase in the rate will be effective as of March 16 . Consumers will pay a surcharge of 0.45 or 0.55 cents on each Uber ride and 0.35 or 0.45 on each Uber Eats order, depending on their location.
“100% of that money will go directly into the pockets of workers,” Uber said.
The measure is temporary and will last at least the next 60 days, when the company will make a new evaluation.
“We know that prices have been rising throughout the economy, so we have done everything we can to help drivers and couriers without imposing an additional burden on consumers.”
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine progresses, . During the week, a gallon of gasoline averaged $4.17, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Uber added that they have used this moment to encourage more of their drivers to switch to electric vehicles.
“Drivers who opt for electricity can already enjoy increased earnings potential thanks to Uber, which provides incentives to electric vehicle drivers, such as an extra dollar per ride up to $4,000 a year. We’ve also negotiated discounts for drivers on the main models of electric vehicles and special offers on charging”.
How are Uber fares determined?
According to the official Uber site, there are different aspects that help calculate the fare in advance. The conventional scheme in the United States is that “advance fees depend on the estimated distance and duration of the trip. The estimate may vary based on demand and actual factors, such as traffic.”
In this specific case, Uber explained that the surcharges are based on the average distance of the trip and the increase in gasoline prices in each state.
