One could argue that the surge pricing was the more ethical decision as it increased supply, rather than giving a discount which would have constrained supply.

One could argue that the surge pricing was the more ethical decision as it increased supply, rather than giving a discount which would have constrained supply. Of course, if they were just coming from the self-serving PR angle, they would have said "all rides are free" but not increased driver payments -- it's hard for a lack of supply to be excoriated in the newspapers.