COMMENT: The cost of Uber

When you book a flight direct with an airline, typically BA or easyJet, the actual charge is clearly shown.  This is not the case with Uber.

When your Editor-in-Chief required to take a flight from Heathrow T5 recently, and having a heavy bag, he decided it would be advantages to go from Edgware via the licensed taxi service and quickly made a booking.

It was not until his credit card statement appeared that he discovered a charge “UBER TRIP – HELP.UBER.COM – £60.69”.

Uber has been contacted for an explanation (Press Office) but no response to date.

Perhaps Transport for London (TfL), responsible for taxis in London, can bring in legislation insisting that the true fare is shown with the booking (it was done some years back with the airlines).  The fact that Heathrow now charges for drop-off can easily be incorporated in the software.  And the argument that normal taxis do not show the cost prior to a journey does not hold.  As a passenger you know that the charge cannot be defined prior to travel, although you can make a deal with the driver.

For BTN it’s back to the Heathrow Express, very quick and simple.  Paddington from Cannons Park is very easy, although perhaps not with a heavy roller bag. (And Uber got the address wrong too!)

www.uber.com

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Janice Dab, Willesden - London

Next from Uber will be a fuel charge supplement. Obviously, petrol is now costing more but this should be in the initial price, not added afterwards. Any comment Uber?