Bosses slammed after online cab firm Uber accused of price hike to profit from flood misery
Punters claim firm increased fares by up to five times normal during the recent stormy weather that lashed most of the UK
GREEDY bosses at online cab firm Uber were yesterday accused of raising fares to profit from flood misery.
The app outfit uses “surge pricing” at busy times and passengers are warned charges will go up.
But punters claimed the firm increased fares by up to five times normal during recent stormy weather.
John Lundie, 64, said daughter Amy, 29, was charged £48.86 to go three miles in Bristol on Monday. That was 3.5 times the usual fare.
He said: “Amy caught an Uber using my account. When I got the receipt I was disgusted.
“No amount of wind or rain can justify that kind of price. They are taking advantage of people’s misery.” Andrew Burdett, who took a ride in stormy Sheffield, tweeted: “Just taken my first Uber ride. At 5x pricing.”
Uber said last night surge pricing only kicks in when demand for cars in an area outstrips supply and passengers are warned in advance.