Uber starting March 16 will add a 45- or 55-cent fuel surcharge on most rides, depending on location, the company announced Friday. The surcharges will be based off the average trip distance and the increase in gas prices in each state. Uber said proceeds from the additional fee would go to drivers.
Trips that start in New York City, however, are excluded as drivers there on March 1 received a 5.3 percent increase to the city's mandated minimum earnings standard.
"This is temporary for at least the next 60 days, when we'll reassess," according to an Uber statement. "Over the coming weeks we plan to listen closely to feedback from consumers, couriers and drivers. We'll also continue to track gas price movements to determine if we need to make additional changes."
[Update, March 14, 5:00 pm EDT] On Monday, Lyft confirmed it also plans to add a temporary fuel surcharge to its rides.
"We’ve been closely monitoring rising gas prices and their impact on our driver community. Driver earnings overall remain elevated compared to last year, but given the rapid rise in gas prices we’ll be asking riders to pay a temporary fuel surcharge, all of which will go to drivers," Lyft said in a statement. "We’ll share more details shortly."