Uber & Lyft Blasted For Reportedly Surging Prices Amidst Shocking Brooklyn Subway Attack
Uber and Lyft are under fire for allegedly surging the prices to get a rideshare amidst the shocking attack that went down in a Brooklyn subway earlier this morning.
Brooklyn #Subway Shooting. pic.twitter.com/XeH0DrdD9s
— Isaac Abraham (@IsaacAb13111035) April 12, 2022
Shocked New Yorkers took to Twitter to share screenshots of the sky-high prices following the attack that injured at least 16 people! While frantic New Yorkers were trying to escape from the subway, it seems that the apps increased the prices during the desperate hours.
Lyft, was also accused of similar practices during the attack, where a gunman shot at least 10 people and set off a smoke grenade around 8:30 a.m., in Brooklyn. Immediately, the apps seem to have upped the prices as the demand was increasing.
BREAKING: Uber and Lyft are accused of exploiting the Brooklyn subway mass shooting by implementing surge prices on panicking New Yorkers desperately trying to flee the area. RT TO DEMAND ALL THE MONEY BE DONATED TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS!
— Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) April 12, 2022
“Fare surge after a mass shooting in brooklyn when subways are shut down,” one Twitter user commented followed by screenshots of an $85.05 ride to Manhattan . “Shame on you @uber.”
“@Uber turn off surges in sunset park,” added anotherTwitter user. “People are scared, let them get out safely.”
While it may have not been the intentions of the companies to intentionally do this, typically when the demand increases for rides, the prices rocket. This could be due to the apps algorithms, but, it left many New Yorkers scrambling to fork out a hefty amount for transport.
RELATED: At Least 5 People Have Been Shot In Brooklyn Subway Station, Explosives Found
Lyft & Uber be like clamoring to take advantage in situations like this as well as around big events/areas to get loads of ur hard-earned $$$ to get around. That’s not nice & a spat in the face to those in the Brooklyn area who have to go to work & don’t feel safe w/mass transit https://t.co/fsH8PAGFKY
— NPiRSprtz 🇺🇦 Слава Україні!! Stop the war!! (@NYCsporty) April 12, 2022
Uber Suspends The Surges Following Outrage
The NY Post reached out to Uber’s rep who said the surging had bern suspended in the area following the public outrage.
“Following the incident, Uber disabled surge pricing in the vicinity and capped pricing citywide,” Uber rep Freddi Goldstein said to The Post. “If anyone on our platform experienced unintended charges during this emergency, we will work to get them refunded.”
“Our hearts go out to the victims of this morning’s terrible shooting in Sunset Park,” she added. “As always, Uber strives to be a resource for New Yorkers aiming to get around New York City.”
Both Lyft & Uber have previously surged prices during emergencies.
Back in 2017, both rideshare apps were similarly under fire after an explosion near the Port Authority in Midtown Manhattan, created exorbitant surges as riders attempted to evacuate the area.
Currently, Lyft has not yet commented on the accusations.