Uber rideshare, food deliveries more expensive to offset fuel costs

Starting Wednesday, those taking an Uber or ordering Uber Eats will notice an added fee on their bill, which the company says is to deal with the sky-high price at the pump.

The rideshare company announced the surcharge as fuel prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, amid global uncertainty brought on by the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“Riders will pay a $0.50 surcharge on every ride and, on Uber Eats where trips are shorter, consumer fees will be adjusted to cover the equivalent of a $0.35 surcharge on every delivery. 100% of surcharges will go directly to drivers and delivery people,” Uber wrote in a statement last week.

Related Articles:

• Gas prices, inflation impacting consumer confidence: experts

• U.S. banning Russian oil imports as Biden warns of ‘costs’

• Russian war in world’s ‘breadbasket’ threatens food supply

The company says now is also time for drivers to think of a green alternative. Uber provides $1 more per trip for drivers who switch from gas-powered vehicles to EVs.

It’s unclear if the surcharge also applies to food deliveries made by bicycle.

On Wednesday, Canada’s inflation numbers showed that gasoline costs are among the biggest financial burdens right now.

Last month, Canadian motorists paid 32.3 per cent more at the pump than they did at the same time last year.

In Vancouver, the price has hovered above or just below the $2 mark for two weeks, well above the national average of $1.80. However, a portion of that amount is in local taxes.

Alberta, meanwhile, recently announced a plan to temporarily pause its tax.

“Alberta will end the collection of the provincial fuel tax, this means the price at the pump will drop by 13 cents a litre, putting money back into the pockets of Albertans,” Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said.

The changes will come into effect April 1.

The B.C. government has announced no plans to follow suit.

With files from Katarina Szulc and John Marchesan