Uber Riders Complain About New Year Price Surges

Lindsay and a group of friends were celebrating a wedding at the Southwood Community League in Mill Woods on New Year’s Eve.

The ride-sharing companies have emerged in recent years in scores of cities in the US and around the world, as more riders become attracted to the convenience of requesting pickups via a smartphone app from drivers in their own vehicles.

“As a result, prices increase to encourage more drivers to become available”, Uber’s website explains. They confirmed to ABC News that they do not have a cap on how high the surge multiplier can go, and last night, Twitter users appeared to show that was the case.

But Dean Nalder says as long as Uber remains transparent with its demand-driven price hikes, the government won’t regulate it. The company said that is how it ensures passengers have agreed to the so-called surge pricing. They’re also given the option to be notified when “surge” prices end and the fare returns to normal.

Uber has a policy of increasing fares through “surcharges”, during peak times such as New Year’s and even discloses this practice on its website. “Riders are repeatedly notified about the pricing directly within the app and asked to confirm and accept increased fares, or can opt for a notification when prices drop”.

Yellow Cab’s more than 100 independent contractors signed up with zTrip complement the traditional taxi cab drivers that still make up the majority of its business. “We have nearly guaranteed trips in the system every day”.

That was after four other drivers from Uber cancelled their trips after accepting them initially.

“I feel like I was robbed”, said Cassandra Zakaib, another Montreal rider who was charged $320 on New Year’s Eve. “We’re kind of over the Uber effect”.

But don’t say the company didn’t warn you.

Uber responded on Twitter by saying that the surge was automated and that the company would refund riders who used the service as the crisis unfolded.

After his story aired on CTV Edmonton Saturday, Lindsay said Uber called him and offered to refund half his fare.

In July, Lyft agreed to pay $250,000 in a settlement with the PUC regarding similar violations.