If you take an Uber today, you’ll be paying more, thanks to rising gas prices.
Fuel costs that were already rising before Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine have skyrocketed to all-time highs, which puts the squeeze on people who drive for a living. As of late Wednesday morning, AAA reports the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in America is $4.30. That’s up nearly 80 cents from last month’s national average of $3.51 per gallon, and $1.43 more than it was a year ago this time.
According to Uber, passengers will see a surcharge of forty-five to fifty-five cents per trip, and either thirty-five to forty-five cents added to their Uber Eats order, depending on the gas prices in their locations. “100% of that money going directly to workers’ pockets,” the ride-share company insists.
The attempt to “reduce the burden” of rising gas prices on its drivers will be in effect for the next sixty days, at which time Uber will “reassess” the surcharge.
Uber’s competitor, Lyft, also announced a similar fuel surcharge, but it’s not clear how much it will be or when it will take effect.