MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Uber taxi service increased tariffs on Saturday night in central London following the terror attack on London Bridge, UK media reported Sunday, citing witnesses who tried to use the taxi service.
Seriously @Uber? 2.1x surge pricing during a serious incident in London? Your driver was a gem, but I can't say the same for you. pic.twitter.com/Krv7am5X0R
— Victoria Anderson (@VFAnderson) June 4, 2017
According to The Sun newspaper, numerous users published posts on social media stating that prices for trips had increased three or four times compared to the usual tariffs.
Hey @Uber — you're really going to surge price x2.1 during a terrorist attack in #London??? Lower than low. #londonbridge #emergency pic.twitter.com/yXHFZsYZkT
— Amber Clemente (@yankeeamber) June 3, 2017
Journeys normally costing around 7 UK pounds ($9) were hiked up to as much as 40 pounds in line with Uber's peak demand rates.
Why is the uber driver saying it will cost £300 to avoid Central london, he should not be charging and just getting us to safety
— izzle (@isobelvandyke) June 3, 2017
On Saturday, at 22:08 local time (21:08 GMT), a vehicle struck pedestrians on London Bridge. The vehicle with three suspects continued to drive from London Bridge to Borough Market, after which the suspects left the vehicle and carried out a stabbing attack at the market. The attackers were confronted by the police and shot dead within minutes.
According to the local authorities, at least seven people were killed and 48 more injured.
Update: after the publication of this article, representatives of Uber Technologies Inc. reached out to Sputnik with their official statement.
Tom Elvidge, General Manager of Uber in London, said:
"Our hearts go out to everybody affected by yet another horrific attack on our city. We'd like to thank all the drivers who helped tens of thousands of Londoners get home safely last night. As soon as we heard about the incident we immediately suspended dynamic pricing all around the area of the attacks — and shortly afterwards across the whole of central London — just as we did following the attacks in Manchester and Westminster. We are also ensuring all rides from around the affected area were free of charge. Our team is also working with the Metropolitan Police to help them get any footage from drivers who were in the area at the time."
