Uber Prices To Surge For New Year's Eve
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Year's Eve: It's the day to overpay for everything from that glass of flat Champagne to the impossibly high heels you'll wear just once, to, once again, that ride from Uber.
The ride-hailing app expects this New Year's Eve to be its busiest night ever. Due to high demand, and because it can, Uber is bringing back surge pricing, a boon to its drivers but a bane to passengers.
Fares can increase sevenfold during the busiest hours between 12:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.
"When you have such an incredible demand, this encourages drivers to get out to meet that demand," Uber spokesman Taylor Bennet told 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet.
Uber Prices To Surge For New Year's Eve
To avoid spiking fares, Uber suggests booking a ride right after the ball drops at midnight or wait until after 2:30. The app will notify users in advance if surge pricing is in effect and full-price estimates are given before requesting a ride.
There are other options depending on where you live, including public transportation or just staying home.
Riders who use rival Lyft will also see a version of Uber's price surge, called "Prime Time.''
The feature is turned on when ride requests "greatly outnumber available drivers.'' How much extra you'll pay, Lyft says, depends on demand. To check the rates, tap the Prime Time icon on the bottom right side of the app's home screen.
Both Uber and Lyft are donating a portion of their New Year's hail to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Uber will donate $1 from every ride when users enter the promotional code "MADDNYE'' on booking a ride. Lyft will donate $1 for everyone who makes a "pledge'' to get home safe by visiting Lyft.com/NYE.
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