\u201cDrivers are going to work longer hours to make up the lost money and expenses, or drivers are going to cut the hours back because it costs too much to do the job.\u201d <\/p>\n
The price of 91 petrol at an Auckland CBD station was $3.099 per litre on Tuesday morning. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
In 2022, Uber had a temporary price hike on rides to account for operational costs such as petrol and a driver shortage. <\/p>\n
Christchurch driver Dave, who asked to only go by his first name, didn\u2019t bother working today with petrol prices so high and bad traffic. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou just can\u2019t afford to be driving around wasting fuel at approaching $3 a litre,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Driving a hybrid car, his fuel costs are about a quarter of his expenses, excluding his labour. With petrol prices on the rise, he can see the proportion of that expense climbing by 10 to 20%. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat is going to be a major impact.\u201d <\/p>\n
Uber drivers are given discounts on petrol from BP stations.<\/p>\n
Dave felt frustrated drivers had no power over pricing and wanted to see fares go up. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll you can do is control your supply of labour.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think eventually there\u2019ll be desperation… It\u2019s just only going to get worse.\u201d <\/p>\n
Dave prefers to work during the day to avoid the dramas of late Friday and Saturday nights. However, he said he may have to start working those high-return shifts. <\/p>\n
An Uber spokeswoman told the Herald it was \u201cexpanding access to EV options with incentive programmes that can help lower their operating costs over time\u201d. <\/p>\n
Uber says it is always looking for ways it can continue to support drivers. Photo \/ 123rf<\/p>\n
The company declined to answer whether it would be increasing ride prices or offering drivers a petrol subsidy while prices are on the rise.<\/p>\n
Uber drivers are given discounts on petrol from BP stations of up to 15c a litre, depending on their Uber Pro tier.<\/p>\n
Uber hopes to become a zero-emission platform by 2040, encouraging drivers to transition to electric vehicles. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognise recent fuel price increases are having an effect across a wide range of industries, including for drivers who use the Uber app to earn,\u201d the spokeswoman said. <\/p>\n
\u201cUber is actively monitoring conditions as they evolve and we regularly review ways to support driver partners as circumstances change.\u201d <\/p>\n
The spokeswoman pointed to the company\u2019s Uber Pro programme, providing drivers with discounts on fuel and EV charging, among other things. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are always looking for ways we can continue to support drivers.\u201d <\/p>\n
Workers First Union deputy secretary Anita Rosentreter wants Uber to pay for all of the drivers\u2019 fuel. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that they should pay for the gas. It\u2019s a cost of doing business and it\u2019s their business that is benefiting.\u201d <\/p>\n
Workers First Union deputy secretary Anita Rosentreter says Uber should pay for the fuel used by the company’s drivers. Photo \/ File<\/p>\n
Last year the Supreme Court ruled that four drivers were employees rather than contractors<\/a>. <\/p>\n