Uber adds late fee to please drivers
New Zealand Uber riders now pay 55 cents for every minute they leave a driver waiting longer than two minutes.
The ride-sharing app introduced the fee on completed rides from Friday. It was introduced in the United States in July.
Uber’s New Zealand general manager, Richard Menzies, said the fee benefited drivers.
‘‘We have listened to feedback from Uber driver-partners and understand that it is frustrating to be kept waiting once someone has requested a ride.’’
Uber has not yet said whether the company will take a cut of the waiting fees charged.
Uber spokeswoman Nicky Preston confirmed yesterday that the waiting fee would not be charged in conjunction with the $10 cancellation fee. Uber drivers can still only cancel a ride after waiting five minutes, she said.
‘‘The paid wait time applies after a driver has been waiting at the pickup location for more than two minutes, while the cancellation fee applies from five minutes after the rider has requested a ride.’’
Uber drivers in New Zealand were told of the new fee by the company last week.
A statement from Uber sent to drivers read: ‘‘It is important that you receive payment for your time and effort spent driving using the app. You have also told us there is much more to be done to improve the driving experience. We agree.’’
Menzies said riders were notified of the waiting fee via the app.
It is not the first time Uber has hiked prices and added fees to its service. In May it introduced a 55c booking fee for all rides and a 95c fee for the minimum fare of a trip costing $5.