Due to rising fuel prices: Uber imposes commissions on passengers
The shuttle service has announced that in the next two months it will charge an additional amount from customers, in order to assist drivers who are facing record prices at the pump
The Uber shuttle service announced on Friday that in light of the surge in fuel prices, it will start charging passengers a fee to help drivers.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Starting this coming Wednesday, customers will pay an extra 45 cents to 55 cents for an Uber ride, and an extra 35 cents to 45 cents for Uber East bookings. The full amount will be transferred directly to the drivers. Uber also noted that the increase will be based on the average driving distance and rising fuel prices in each country.
According to the company announcement, the additional payment will remain for at least 60 days – after which Uber will re-evaluate the situation and decide how to proceed.
“Many people feel the weight of peak prices in the pump – and this is entirely true of drivers and couriers. While the profits of our platform have remained high compared to historical trends, the recent rise in fuel prices is affecting shuttle and delivery drivers,” the company said in a statement.
“To help reduce the economic burden, we are adding, temporarily, a fuel surcharge,” said Uber, who added that the company is working to get as many drivers as possible to switch to electric cars by providing additional benefits through its green future plan. Drivers in this software, can earn one more dollar per ride, and up to $ 4,000 per year.
The burden on passengers comes in the wake of the war between Russia and Ukraine, following which President Joe Biden announced sanctions against Moscow, and imposed a ban on imports of oil, gas and coal from Russia. The move led to a drastic rise in fuel prices, which broke a 14-year high.
According to Friday, the average price of a gallon of gasoline stands at $ 4.33, which is more than the previous record broken in July 2009, until the price per liter was $ 4.10.
At the time of Biden’s announcement of sanctions, the president said: “Russian oil will no longer be accepted at U.S. ports. The decision today is not without cost here at home. “Putin’s war is hurting Americans with the fuel pump.”
Biden promised that “I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price increases, here at home,” but when asked by reporters what steps he is planning, the president admitted: “I can not do much right now.”
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