Shortly after the ball drops and champagne corks are popped, the price for a ride with the car service will skyrocket. The company now explains to users how to avoid these fare hikes. December 30, 2013 8:53 PM PST (Credit: Uber) Looking to avoid backlash this New Years Eve, Uber is broadcasting loud and clear that surge pricing will be in effect the night the ball drops. This means riders using the car service during certain hours of the night will have to pay premium fares. "This New Year's Eve we'll have a record number of cars on the road ready to get you where you want to go," Uber writes in a blog post. "But, that doesn't change one simple fact: on NYE, everyone wants to move around the city at exactly the same time! You can avoid the peaks of surge pricing with good timing when you travel." Uber's pricing throughout the night will change. Before 8pm, prices will be normal; after 8pm, the costs will gradually go up. The most expensive time of the night will be between 12:15am and 2:30am, and by 3am the prices will drop back to normal. Related stories Get ready for Uber to hit overdrive with delivery biz Uber kicks off the holidays with Christmas tree deliveries Uber teams up with GM, Toyota to get more cars on the road Uber picks up PayPal to drive member numbers From Geek Street to Main Street: Ride sharing's road to a mass market Uber says it will notify all riders when surge pricing is in effect. When surge pricing becomes twice as much or higher, riders will be required to confirm they're aware of the steeper prices. Within the Uber app, riders can use a "fare quote" feature to estimate the cost of their journey before hailing the car. The company is also letting users split fares with friends. Uber has been offering its service on New Years Eve for the last three years. In years past, its surge pricing has surprised some users and prompted complaints. People criticized the service for raising prices as much as five times the normal rate. For example, one rider's typical mile-long $15 ride cost $75 on New Years Eve in 2012. By spreading the news about surge pricing more widely this year, it appears the company hopes to not shock as many customers with its pricey rides. Uber's surge pricing chart for New Years Eve. (Credit: Uber)
Shortly after the ball drops and champagne corks are popped, the price for a ride with the car service will skyrocket. The company now explains to users how to avoid these fare hikes.
(Credit: Uber)
Looking to avoid backlash this New Years Eve, Uber is broadcasting loud and clear that surge pricing will be in effect the night the ball drops. This means riders using the car service during certain hours of the night will have to pay premium fares.
"This New Year's Eve we'll have a record number of cars on the road ready to get you where you want to go," Uber writes in a blog post. "But, that doesn't change one simple fact: on NYE, everyone wants to move around the city at exactly the same time! You can avoid the peaks of surge pricing with good timing when you travel."
Uber's pricing throughout the night will change. Before 8pm, prices will be normal; after 8pm, the costs will gradually go up. The most expensive time of the night will be between 12:15am and 2:30am, and by 3am the prices will drop back to normal.
Related stories
- Get ready for Uber to hit overdrive with delivery biz
- Uber kicks off the holidays with Christmas tree deliveries
- Uber teams up with GM, Toyota to get more cars on the road
- Uber picks up PayPal to drive member numbers
- From Geek Street to Main Street: Ride sharing's road to a mass market
Uber says it will notify all riders when surge pricing is in effect. When surge pricing becomes twice as much or higher, riders will be required to confirm they're aware of the steeper prices.
Within the Uber app, riders can use a "fare quote" feature to estimate the cost of their journey before hailing the car. The company is also letting users split fares with friends.
Uber has been offering its service on New Years Eve for the last three years. In years past, its surge pricing has surprised some users and prompted complaints. People criticized the service for raising prices as much as five times the normal rate. For example, one rider's typical mile-long $15 ride cost $75 on New Years Eve in 2012.
By spreading the news about surge pricing more widely this year, it appears the company hopes to not shock as many customers with its pricey rides.
Uber's surge pricing chart for New Years Eve.
(Credit: Uber)
