Uber to implement user surcharge to deal with soaring gas prices

Uber says it is adding a surcharge to all ride share and deliveries to help offset the rising cost of gas for its drivers.

Starting Wednesday, March 16, those using Uber to get from one place to another will see a 50-cent surcharge on every ride while Uber Eats customers will see at least a 35-cent surcharge on deliveries.

Uber says the surcharge is designed to reduce the burden of high gas prices, not to cover the full cost of a tank.

“We know drivers and delivery people are feeling the sting of higher prices at the pump,” said Laura Miller, Head of Policy and Communications for Uber Canada. “This consumer surcharge will apply to rides and deliveries with 100% going directly to drivers and delivery people.”

Uber says the fees will remain in effect for the next 60 days as they continue to monitor the price of gas over the coming weeks and months.

Gas prices have soared due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and through the first 12 days of March, the average price across B.C. and the Lower Mainland has hovered around $2.009 cents/litre. Prices reached a record high of $2.149.

Alberta, meanwhile, recently announced a plan to temporarily pause its tax of 13 cents a litre on gas and diesel starting next month.

When asked if his government plans to follow suit, B.C. Deputy Premier and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth would not commit.

“The only planned increase is the one-cent a litre on April 1,” he said. “One of the challenges on that taxation side … there’s no guarantee that the price stays down and fuel companies don’t just jack the price up to take advantage of the margin that you may have created.”

Farnworth maintains the gas price “situation” is beyond B.C.’s control.