It seems that Uber car service’s ‘surge pricing’ model has hit Cape Town this season, and some passengers are getting uptight about it. The same thing happened in New York and this is the info we have found:

From Uber:

Our goal is to be as reliable as possible and sometimes we see such high demand our supply of available cars gets tight. To ensure we have rides available for everyone who needs one, we have surge pricing which increases our rates incrementally as our demand outstrips our supply and then lowers them back to normal as demand goes down and cars free up. All riders are notified of this increased fare before they request a ride.

We also include a reminder in our confirmation text that lets you know your driver is on the way just in case: Hi Joe, your Uber is en route! Daniel (4.7 stars) will pick you up in 5 minutes. Note that your fare will be 1.5x the normal Uber fare.

So they’ve increased prices at peak times when there are limited cars, to ensure the people that need it most gets it. And they’re letting you know that before you accept the ride?

I don’t have a problem with that.

I found this article in the New York Post, following the surge pricing they experienced during a recent spell of snow and sleet:

The concept of surge pricing is nothing new. It means that prices go up when demand is high — during, for example, the recent snowstorm, when prices tripled in New York — and drops when demand is low. The benefit for Uber is obvious: It makes more money when prices are high.

But there’s a benefit for consumers, too. It means that there will be a cab when you want one, if you are willing to pay. After all, what good is the right to a taxi ride that will cost you $15 if you have to wait six hours to get a cab, or never get a cab at all? Under normal conditions, you may not value a car at surge pricing. But if the weather is awful and it’s the only way you can make your flight to Paris, it may then look worth every penny.

Honestly, stop bitching. If you have a problem with Uber, just go back to hiring a Rikki’s.

And enjoy that experience.

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