Uber ride fares quadrupled this morning as people panicked and logged onto the app to get out of Sydney's central business district after a gunman took a group of people hostage in a café.
The company introduced 'surge pricing', as it generally does when demand spikes - rates were quadrupled and there was a minimum charge of AUS $100 (€66) per trip.
Soon websites like Mashable were posting screen grabs of the inflated prices.
Uber took to Twitter to clarify the situation:
We are all concerned with events in CBD. Fares have increased to encourage more drivers to come online & pick up passengers in the area.
— Uber Sydney (@Uber_Sydney) December 15, 2014
This tweet didn't go down well...
@Uber_Sydney @joshgnosis fares have increased out of concern? Really?
— Leif Rask (@lsrask) December 15, 2014
@Uber_Sydney Seriously? How much more of an awful company could you be?
— â‡The first Narelle ♫ (@Narelle_NZ) December 15, 2014
@Uber_Sydney Fares have increased to $100 minimum fare. How do you justify that? Way to ensure public won't see you as viable option to cabs
— Dame Maureen Chuck (@Dame_hohohchuck) December 15, 2014
@Uber_Sydney surely wanting to help people should override a fare increase to encourage drivers? SICKENING to take advantage at such a time
— McDimples (@McCraigyDimples) December 15, 2014
@Uber_Sydney You're garbage.
— Haight St. Records (@HaightStRecords) December 15, 2014
The company soon backpedaled and offered users free rides:
Uber rides out of the CBD today are free for all riders to help Sydneysiders get home safely. See http://t.co/UIwoom25Bm for more info.
— Uber Sydney (@Uber_Sydney) December 15, 2014
The company later released this statement:
"We are all concerned with the events happening in Sydney. Uber Sydney will be providing free rides out of the CBD to help Sydneysiders get home safely. Our thoughts are with those affected and the NSW Police Force. We are in the process of refunding rides. If you have been charged during these hours leaving the CBD please email supportsydney@uber.com.
"Please note that surge pricing only remains in place to encourage more drivers to come online and pick up passengers from the area."
