Uber customers are suffering from a ‘cancel culture’ of abandoned fares as the tech giant finds itself locked in an increasingly bitter dispute with drivers.
Some drivers have admitted to accepting but later rejecting more than half of the job opportunities they receive through ride-hailing apps. Passengers complain about being left at the sidelines.
A change in drivers’ terms and conditions and a hike in petrol prices means they will often accept only the most profitable fares, but the issue has caused frustration among passengers.
Uber customers are suffering from a ‘cancel culture’ of abandoned fares as the tech giant finds itself locked in an increasingly bitter dispute with drivers
Complaining on social media yesterday, one woman called Estelle wrote: ‘So 12 Ubers have cancelled on two young women in the middle of Central London between 4am and 5am in the morning on New Year? We’re getting hypothermia.’
Soaring wages in other industries, like home delivery or logistics, have led to a shortage of drivers. Many people are switching jobs.
A 40% increase in passengers has also been seen as a result of people who opted to avoid public transport during the pandemic.
Uber in London increased its prices by 10% last November as part of a bid to attract drivers back.
The company was also told to provide more rights for workers after the courts ruled that 40,000 of its drivers aren’t self-employed. They should receive holiday pay and be paid the national living wages.
An Uber spokesman said: ‘In recent months demand for Uber rides has soared, leading to higher driver earnings.
However, there was a 40% rise in passenger numbers as people avoided public transport during pandemic.
Uber drivers now have new rights, such as weekly vacation pay and pensions.
‘We are continuing our efforts to sign up an additional 20,000 drivers to help meet this growing demand.’
But Zamir Dreni, vice-chairman of the App Drivers And Couriers Union, who has been driving for Uber since 2012, said: ‘People are not being paid properly, and that’s why they have to pick and choose the jobs that they take.
‘It’s not the drivers letting you down, it’s the app. The company is exploiting drivers and as a result the public are left stranded.’