When it gets busy, Uber does this thing called surge pricing. Basically it’s a way to make sure that only the people who really want the service can get it until more drivers become available. Uber encourages more drivers to jump on during surge times so they can meet demand and be rewarded for doing so with surge price bumps.
But on the day that Sydney’s CBD is locked down tight with Police urging workers not to even go near their windows if they work in the Sydney CBD, Uber is working on bringing more drivers into the CBD on already clogged roads.
NSW Police have issued a warning to everyone in the Sydney CBD to stay indoors if they can, following hostages being taken at a cafe in the middle of the city.
Popular landmarks like the NSW State Library, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge have been locked down and/or evacuated, and people are being asked to keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles. There’s also an exclusion zone in place.
So what does Uber do to help out? Bring more people into the CBD.
Here’s the tweet:
We are all concerned with events in CBD. Fares have increased to encourage more drivers to come online & pick up passengers in the area.
— Uber Sydney (@Uber_Sydney) December 15, 2014
We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not that’s a good idea.
Contrast the moves of Uber Sydney with the messaging coming from NSW Transport Management:
NSW Transport Management has just told Seven News everyone in CBD of Sydney should now leave if they’re able.
— Laurel Irving (@laurelirving7) December 15, 2014
On top of that, Uber is charging people a minimum of $65 to use its Uber Black/Lux services during the peak times, and UberX services are currently unavailable. [Uber]