Uber & Lyft Add New “Fuel Surcharge Fees” For All U.S. Cities But One

Uber & Lyft Add New “Fuel Surcharge Fees” For All U.S. Cities But One

Uber and Lyft have added a new fuel surcharge on rides to help drivers deal with increased gas prices across the country due to Ukraine war. 

It’s worth noting that Uber isn’t hesitant to pass on the increased cost of gas to drivers and customers claiming that -the international gas crisis that is affecting both western citizens and companies,- should be borne by rideshare and delivery drivers, and passengers alone.

“While earnings on our platform remain elevated compared to historical trends, the recent spike in gas prices has affected rideshare and delivery drivers. To help reduce the burden, we are rolling out a temporary fuel surcharge,” says a statement on Uber’s official website. 

Surcharges are calculated based on the average trip distance and increases in gas costs in each state.

The increase will endure for 60 days, after which the company will reevaluate the gas situation.

“Beginning Wednesday, March 16, consumers will pay a surcharge of either $0.45 or $0.55 on each Uber trip and either $0.35 or $0.45 on each Uber Eats order, depending on their location—with 100% of that money going directly to workers’ pockets,” Uber said.

For the time being, New York City is exempt from these fuel surcharges. This is due to the fact that bicycles (instead of cars) are used by most delivery workers in NYC.

uber headquaters in San Francisco

Meanwhile, Lyft did not take long to follow suit. The company announced the additional surcharge on Monday but did not say how much it will be for passengers or when it will take effect.

According to the company, more information will be revealed “shortly.”

Lyft has been “closely monitoring” the rise in fuel prices and their impact on drivers, who are considered independent contractors in this company.

“Driver earnings overall remain elevated compared to last year, but given the rapid rise in gas prices we’ll be asking riders to pay a temporary fuel surcharge, all of which will go to drivers,” CJ Macklin, a spokesperson for Lyft said in a statement.