Uber responds to price-surging backlash after London attack
Uber has defended its dynamic-pricing system following intense scrutiny over surging fares during and following the London Bridge attack.
The ride-sharing service came under fire for charging customers an increased fare as a result of a spike in requests amidst the terrorist attack on London Bridge on Saturday night.
Many Uber users took to Twitter to criticize the service for charging more than double the price of a normal fare, while British black cabs were offering free rides to those in the affected area.
Anyway of temporarily stopping the surge pricing around London Bridge @Uber ? People trying to get out of the area.
— Greg Double (@Dubstep1988) June 3, 2017
@UberUK I have a friend in London bridge trying to get home. Why are your drivers charging up to 10x rather than helping those in need?
— Reena K (@Pugmaa) June 3, 2017
Do us a favour @UberUK@Uber, drop the surge pricing in London would you? You're needed! pic.twitter.com/Dp0c02LCAu
— Robin Lanfear (@RobinLanfear) June 3, 2017
Why is the uber driver saying it will cost £300 to avoid Central london, he should not be charging and just getting us to safety
— izzle (@isobelvandyke) June 3, 2017
Uber told RT.com it had suspended its dynamic pricing at 10:50pm in the area surrounding the attacks, which spanned from London Bridge to Borough Market, “a few minutes after we heard the first reports” and “before the Met Police’s first statement.”
READ MORE: London Bridge attack: what we know so far
BOYCOTT @Uber - My friend in London just sent this, UBER ramped prices up in hit areas knowing people need to get home #LondonBridgepic.twitter.com/bKeKpVbqZq
— Idris Bhayat (@IdiiBhaxx) June 4, 2017
Hey @Uber -- you're really going to surge price x2.1 during a terrorist attack in #London??? Lower than low. #londonbridge#emergencypic.twitter.com/yXHFZsYZkT
— Amber Clemente (@yankeeamber) June 3, 2017
Seriously @Uber ? 2.1x surge pricing during a serious incident in London? Your driver was a gem, but I can't say the same for you. pic.twitter.com/Krv7am5X0R
— Victoria Anderson (@VFAnderson) June 4, 2017
— DanA12 (@Sammyscarf) June 4, 2017
READ MORE: $25 a mile?? Uber ‘surge’ angers NYE riders
Uber also claims to have already automatically refunded “all trips from in and around the affected area.”
Uber London’s general manager released a statement Sunday in an effort to stem the PR nightmare, while drivers themselves attempted to defuse the onslaught of hate on Twitter and Uber UK Support’s social media platforms appear to be working overtime to answer critics directly.
I'm uber driver and #uber has TURN OFF THE SURGE. Stop pushing your agenda through hard times like this.This is pathetic mate. #londonbridgepic.twitter.com/g4ywZYI5p4
— Ionut Banu (@IonutBanu1) June 3, 2017
The surge was lifted as soon as news spread and we got this message afterwards... stop making fake new on such a tragic event to advert bcab pic.twitter.com/vNekWlGUoU
— Damacanacı (@anadoluruhu1) June 4, 2017
