Uber customers will be hit with increased fees in Australia next week as drivers wrestle with rising fuel costs.
The service will raise its prices by about 6 per cent to help drivers make ends meet, adding around $3 to a $50 fare for customers.
An Uber spokeswoman said the change was not a temporary fuel surcharge, but a broader price adjustment which will result in additional earnings for drivers.
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“We regularly review our fares to ensure we’re striking the right balance between supporting strong earning opportunities for driver partners while continuing to offer reliable, affordable options for riders,” she said.
“From next week, we will be updating Uber fares which will increase driver earnings by an average of 6 per cent across Australia. These changes build on work already underway and reflect our ongoing commitment to better supporting driver earnings over time.
“We know operating costs, including fuel, remain front of mind for many driver partners, making continued support more important than ever.
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“Alongside these changes, we’ll continue investing in initiatives like our Uber Pro program, which offers discounts on fuel and EV charging, as well as other savings to help reduce expenses.”
The development follows Uber drivers questioning the viability of the service in Australia following significant increases in running costs this year.
Drivers on the public Uber Drivers Forum said earlier this month that “Uber needs to come to the party with a fuel subsidy or a decrease in fees,” asking the company “where is the money?”.
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A third user wrote that “current high prices in petrol is costing me an extra $200 a week. If this [war] doesn’t end soon and there’s a fuel shortage looks like I’ll be off the road”.
Rival service Didi raised its prices by 5 cents per kilometre earlier this week to help drivers pay for increased fuel costs.
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