Popular rideshare company Uber will impose a surcharge on rides in Australia due to the high petrol prices it causes Middle East conflict.
Customers pay an extra 5 cents per km, unless they travel in electric vehicles.
A joint statement from Uber and the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) confirmed the price increase.
“Uber and the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) have worked closely to tackle rising fuel costs for drivers,” said Emma Foley, Managing Director of Uber Australia.
“Following constructive discussions, Uber will implement a temporary fuel surcharge to provide temporary relief to driver partners in response to the current fuel crisis.
“It starts on April 15 and runs until June 8, and all extra money goes to the drivers.
Michael Kaine, national secretary of the Transport Workers Union, said: “Rideshare drivers have been hit by skyrocketing fuel costs, and Uber’s actions recognize this with significant cost relief.”
The additional price per kilometer goes directly to the driver.
DiDi Australia’s head of external affairs Dan Jordan said the surcharge will help “ease the financial burden many drivers face”.
“To help offset these rising operating costs, DiDi will increase the temporary fuel surcharge applied to every DiDi trip nationwide,” he said.
“This adjustment is intended to provide drivers with additional support while fuel prices remain high.”
Some Uber drivers had called on that company to follow suit
The Prime Minister is visiting Brunei and Malaysia this week in an effort to secure fuel supplies.
Albanese said his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong provided a “win-win situation” for both countries in terms of mutual supplies of oil and gas.
“There is definitely some supply,” he said.
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