Sunday, February 8, 2015

Uber, surge pricing, and the Red Cross

Uber, faced with criticism that it raised prices in Sydney during an emergency, but wanting to keep drivers incentivized to be available when needed, has announced that in such cases it will charge high prices but donate its share to the Red Cross: PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN RED CROSS TO SUPPORT CITIES AND CITIZENS DURING DISASTERS

"Uber is proud to announce a national partnership with the American Red Cross to help cities and citizens during disasters. The partnership took effect last week as this season’s first tropical storm, Arthur, developed.
Uber is partnering with the American Red Cross1 to help communities’ disaster relief efforts.
  • During disasters and relevant states of emergency, Uber is committing to donate its commissions on surge trips to the American Red Cross.
  • That means that for trips with elevated pricing, 20% of the total fare will be donated to the American Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts.
  • Uber will also support ongoing community events like blood drives and donation drives with safe, affordable and reliable transportation options for American Red Cross’ volunteers and participating community members."
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 HT Carmen Wang

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Given that it's a _national_ partnership, with the _American_ Red Cross, linking the story to the recent siege in _Sydney_ (Australia) was a little unfortunate.

Maybe Uber will get around to doing something similar re partnerships with *local* (or global, but not American) charities in other countries where it operates.

I suspect the average Sydneysider (or Australian in general) won't be mollified by excessive fees price-gouged during an emergency supporting an American charity....

Anna Schafer said...

That means that for trips with elevated pricing, 20% of the total fare will be donated to the American Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts.uber from jfk to manhattan

Doctoid said...

Helping a non profit organization can improve the wealth of the country. It can help those who are below the poverty line. It is really a good new, Uber explore both road and world.