Uber prices up by 304% amid Mad Friday Tube closures

With London set to face yet another tube strike on their main lines this weekend, many will be left with no other option than to call a taxi from work to avoid delays.

Essential Living’s Taxi Rank Report, which looks at the cost of Uber services around the world, has revealed that travellers who are looking to catch an Uber during London’s tube strike this weekend will be severely out of pocket if there is an influx of app users this weekend.

https://www.essentialliving.co.uk/blog/the-taxi-ranking-the-best-cities-for-taxi-services/

Ubers in London could see a 304% increase in price this Mad Friday weekend, with an average 3km fare of £6.61 costing riders £26.70 for the same journey.

Compared to London’s last tube strike on Black Friday weekend which caused an increase in Uber prices by 150%.

The study also found:

For anyone wanting to travel in style with Uber luxury options, they should expect to pay an 88% increase on their original fare

Journey times in London are quicker than most with a 5km (3.1 miles) trip taking an average of five minutes; unlike Berlin, where the same distance journey takes 17 minutes on average

A 3km journey in Dublin would cost you over £11 more, however, during rush hour, Dublin has a higher fare hike at £18.23, in comparison to London’s £16.56*

Los Angeles, Tokyo, Lisbon and Paris all came above London for higher-priced fares, whereas Punta Cana, Vilnius, Cape Town and Lima were among the countries cheaper than London taxi fares

Nick Woodward at Essential Living says “Recent years have seen a lot of mixed reviews with Uber in the capital and even more so now they have raised their prices to lure in new drivers.

“And now with planned tube strike action taking place across most of the Christmas period, commuters are left being even more reliant on taxi services as they make their way home from their nights out.

“With increased demand expected on taxis, it’s imperative that those heading out plan ahead on their journey beforehand, so as not to get caught out by any delays.

“If you can, it’s encouraged you try and make your way home before the later hours of the evening or make alternative plans that avoid central London, where the strike action is set to take place. And, if you can’t change your plans, then scheduling your taxi in advance can often help to reduce the costs as well as ensure you make your trip safely.”