A series of price hikes during the bad weather this weekend left Uber accused of ripping off the public.
The ‘surge pricing’ algorithm deployed by the taxi app saw relatively short journeys become very expensive.
Screenshots posted on the York Private Hire Group on Facebook showed a journey from central York to Strensall costing between £69 and £90 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
York taxi drivers said they would charge £15.
And Uber’s price for a 14-mile journey from York to Pocklington was quoted as £113-£149. This would cost £32 in a York taxi, drivers say.
Other Uber screenshots showed:
- York to Selby £121-£159
- York to Copmanthorpe £54-£69
- York to Malton £155-£205
‘Blatant exploitation’
Two of the screenshots from the Facebook Group page
Weekend revellers could pay a hefty price for relying on Uber, members of the York Private Hire Group said. One wrote on Sunday (March 18): “Uber ripping the public off in York tonight.
“Had a few drinks?? Be careful, you don’t want to wake up and find uber have emptied your bank account with their blatant exploitation because of the weather!”
One woman commenting on the post the same day said her daughter had been hit:
Daughter checked receipt today town to Acomb – £41 taken from bank account!
Although City of York Council has refused Uber a licence, it doesn’t stop Uber drivers licensed by other authorities from working in York.
Dynamic pricing
An Uber spokesperson said: “The last couple of days have been really challenging for transport services and anyone trying to get around.
“Bad weather has seen more people looking to book a car with Uber but fewer drivers on the road which caused prices to automatically increase.
“Our app uses dynamic pricing to encourage more drivers to pick up fares so that more cars are available. Users can always see a fare estimate before they book, wait until prices have gone back down again or split the fare with others through the app.
“We’d encourage both riders and drivers to stay safe and follow the latest travel advice.”
Uber’s prices automatically increase when there is massive demand for Uber taxis. This wasn’t a targeted price manipulation, it happens whenever demand outstrips supply, in any city, in any weather. So, there clearly aren’t enough Uber taxis in York, and the Council’s decision to ban them from the city has clearly contributed to this. Drivers have to come from Leeds, so naturally there will be fewer.
There aren’t enough taxis in York full stop. People have to routinely queue at taxis ranks for a long time while taxis drip feed into the area. Ever been to Manchester Piccadilly? There are routinely 30-50 taxis waiting for people, and obtaining a taxi is instantaneous.
It’s completely incredulous that in a city severely starved of taxis that Uber would be banned from the city, we need all the drivers we can get.
Plus, it’s rich that local taxi firms would complain about prices, most days they are much more expensive than Uber.
The York drivers will come out to work in all weathers for the same prices.
When we say we’re trying to protect the public, this is one of the things we believe is very wrong about UBER.