A man who ordered an Uber to get home after a night out with friends in Manchester woke up to a shock – after seeing he had been charged £104.
This journey took just over 30 minutes and covered 11.95 miles.
But what would usually cost ‘around £25’ according to Sam, turned out to more than four times that amount when he checked his bank balance, at £104.66.
Sam George, 21, who has recently graduated university and had spent the night partying at the city’s Factory nightclub on December 27.
Sam George, a 21-year-old graduate, got slapped with a £104 charge for an Uber XL trip from Manchester City Centre to Crumpsall, north Manchester – a journey of just 11 miles
Sam had been clubbing on December 27 at the Factory nightclub in Manchester City Centre (pictured) until 3:30am, when he tried calling various taxi companies, eventually getting an Uber XL
Two of his friends had just gone to Warehouse Project’s event. He tried to call various taxi companies and was told that none were available.
He then used Uber XL for his return journey. Although he doesn’t remember how much he was charged, he said he wouldn’t accept a trip that was this expensive.
Uber XL, a premium version of traditional Uber, allows more people to rideshare with one vehicle.
Uber was not pleased with the price and they defended it.
Sam stated, “I woke up looking at my email and couldn’t believe what I saw.” “I was in total shock.
It just didn’t make sense. How could a journey that took less than half an hour cost more than £100?
“I was out to Factory, and I was grouped with two of my friends. We thought it would cost less even with two drop offs.
“We usually use Uber, but it’s never very expensive – but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to get out.
Uber told me that there were no problems with the fare when I called them. Although I thought it might have been due to drop offs, they only added a small distance.
Return flights from Manchester to Dublin, Madrid, Rome and Berlin can be bought for under £90 for this coming weekend, January 1-2.
Sam says he does not remember the price he was quoted, although he claims he would ‘never would have accepted’ the £104 charge
And earlier this month, a student from Fallowfield was charged £80 for a four mile trip home after a night out.
People living in north Manchester have few alternatives to get home in the early hours of a morning, Sam claimed.
He said, “The funny thing is that the taxi fare was more expensive than the whole night.”
“It’s not that far, so no one would think they’d be charged such a high price just to return home.
It makes you rethink going out and leaves you without other options, as there is no tram or night bus to my home in northern Manchester.
“If you’re going out for the night, the only way to get home is by taxi.
“I was aware that I had been drinking, but my senses were intact. If it had asked me so much, I would not have agreed to the fare. It’s unbelievable that this happened two days after Christmas.
Uber has retorted, stating that all fares have been calculated and customers will be charged a fee prior to riding.
That particular evening the fare had to be accepted along with an additional charge and drop-offs.
Uber spokesperson stated that the app uses dynamic pricing in order to allow people to obtain a vehicle when it is needed.
“When there is a lot of people booking the trip in the same area and not enough cars available, the fares will automatically go up to attract more drivers.
“Users will be able to see the fare estimation in advance, so that they can make arrangements for a car rental.”