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A shortage for everybody is more fair than a shortage just for those who aren't able to pay.

• ewang1 13y ago
  It doesn't matter that it isn't "fair". There are going to be people who are willing to pay the increased rate. The alternative is no drivers on the road, so the increased demand pricing probably comes out on top in terms of number of rides completed.
• natrius 13y ago
  Surge pricing lures more drivers to the road because of the extra profit. More passengers are moved with surge pricing than without it. You're saying that it's more "fair" for fewer people to get the rides they want? Laws against price gouging are almost always against the public interest.
  • jacalata 13y ago
    Is there evidence for this actually happening, or is it still just a hypothesis? I don't remember seeing any evidence for "more drivers drove during the storm/on NYE than would have without increasing prices" the last few times it came up.
• eddieroger 13y ago
  Business isn't fair, and not all services are targeted at all consumers. Rates stabilize to what the market will bear. If the $texas higher that Uber was during peak times was the norm, Uber wouldn't have business. If it was lower, cars would never be available. This is just an adjustment that they specifically call out. Besides, this is a black car service we're talking about and not public transit, and even the bus costs more during some times of the day. Also, it's not an overall shortage. Take San Francisco for example: there are lots of public transportation options, yellow cabs, and Uber clones, forgetting walking or bicycles. What's in shortage? Only Uber.