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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — With gas prices hitting record highs here in Massachusetts, many rideshare drivers with Uber and Lyft are concerned about their jobs.
The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Massachusetts is $4.31 as of Tuesday, March 15, according to AAA. In an effort to make up for the rising prices at the pump, both Uber and Lyft are asking riders to pay a temporary fuel surcharge that will go straight to the drivers. The surcharges will apply to Uber Eats orders as well.
"Our hope is that this temporary measure will help ease the burden, but we’ll continue to listen to feedback and may make changes in the future," a spokesperson from Uber said in a statement.
For Uber, the surcharges will be based on location and between either 45 cents and 55 cents per ride for an Uber ride and 35 cents or 45 cents for Uber Eats orders. Lyft did not specify how much the surcharge will be but added it is partnering with GetUpside to help its drivers get cash back at gas stations.
Despite these moves by the companies, some drivers are not convinced it will make a big difference.
"That's like nothing," one driver told WBZ's James Rojas. "That's not even going to cover one fill-up, unfortunately."
With prices expected to remain high throughout the coming weeks and even possibly the coming months, one driver said he's had friends that have quit driving altogether because of prices and what he called "the lack of support" for rideshare companies.
"The drivers are leaving the job because [the price of gas] doesn't work for them," he said. "I can see a risk of a driver shortage right now with gas prices like this."
Uber's new surcharge goes into effect on Wednesday, March 16.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports.
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