PETITION FOR FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE UBER GO FARES

To: Uber South Africa Management

Subject: Urgent Request for a Review and Increase of Uber Go Fares

We, the undersigned Uber driver-partners, respectfully call on Uber South Africa to urgently review the current Uber Go fare structure, particularly the amount ultimately earned by drivers.

We want to make it clear from the beginning:

We are not against Uber. We are not against working. We want to work.

But we need the economics of the work to make sense.

THE PRESSURE ON DRIVERS IS INCREASING

Fuel prices continue to put pressure on drivers and vehicle operating costs.

When fuel becomes more expensive, other transport operators have to respond. Taxis increase their prices. Trucking and transport businesses adjust their rates. Driving schools and other businesses that depend on vehicles also face higher operating costs and have to adjust their pricing.

Yet drivers on Uber are experiencing the opposite situation.

Our operating costs are increasing while our earnings on certain trips are decreasing.

We cannot continue absorbing every increase in fuel, maintenance, tyres, insurance and vehicle depreciation while fares continue moving downward.

We cannot breathe anymore.

A REAL UBER GO EXAMPLE

One recent Uber Go trip generated:

* Driver earnings: R34.00
* Distance: 7.89 km
* Duration: 13 minutes 19 seconds
* Effective driver earnings: approximately R4.31/km
And R34 is not profit.

The driver still has to pay for:

* Fuel
* Maintenance
* Servicing
* Tyres
* Insurance
* Repairs
* Depreciation
* Licensing and compliance
* Finance costs where applicable
* Vehicle downtime

After these expenses, the driver’s actual take-home income can be significantly lower.

WE UNDERSTAND PASSENGERS ALSO NEED AFFORDABLE TRANSPORT

We understand that Uber needs to remain competitive and affordable for passengers.

We are not asking Uber to make transportation unaffordable.

But affordability cannot come at the expense of making the people providing the service financially unsustainable.

A platform cannot operate without drivers.

When drivers cannot make a reasonable return, everybody eventually loses.

Passengers experience longer waiting times.

Drivers reject more trips.

Drivers leave the platform.

Vehicle quality and availability can decline.

And Uber ultimately loses the reliable driver network that makes the service possible.

WE ARE ASKING FOR A FAIRER BALANCE

We respectfully request that Uber South Africa:

1. Review and increase Uber Go fares.
2. Increase the minimum fare so short-distance trips remain worthwhile.
3. Review the per-kilometre rate paid to drivers.
4. Review the per-minute component, particularly in areas with heavy traffic and congestion.
5. Introduce or review a minimum earnings floor for Uber Go trips.
6. Consider the actual increase in fuel and vehicle operating costs when determining driver fares.
7. Provide greater transparency regarding how passenger fares are calculated and what portion reaches the driver.
8. Engage directly with driver-partners before implementing further reductions that negatively affect driver earnings.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR CHARITY

Drivers are running businesses.

We purchase, finance and maintain vehicles. We pay insurance. We purchase fuel. We maintain our cars. We accept the risks of putting our vehicles and ourselves on the road every day.

We are willing to work.

We are willing to drive long hours.

We are willing to provide excellent service.

But a business cannot survive if its costs continue increasing while its revenue continues decreasing.

We look at other transport industries and see prices being adjusted when their operating costs increase.

Uber drivers deserve the same consideration.

PLEASE LET US BREATHE

We respectfully ask Uber South Africa to recognise the reality facing drivers today.

Fuel is going up. Operating costs are going up. The cost of maintaining vehicles is going up.

But Uber Go fares are increasingly going in the opposite direction.

We don’t mind working. We don’t mind working hard. But please let us eat too.

We are not demanding unreasonable fares.

We are asking for fair, sustainable and economically realistic fares that allow drivers to cover their costs, earn a reasonable income and continue providing a reliable service to Uber passengers.

OUR REQUEST IS SIMPLE:

If the cost of doing business is increasing, the fare structure must reflect that reality.

We call on Uber South Africa to urgently review Uber Go pricing and work with driver-partners to establish a fare structure that is fair to passengers, Uber and drivers.

Because without the driver, there is no ride.

FAIR FARES = SUSTAINABLE DRIVERS = BETTER SERVICE

SIGNED BY UBER DRIVER-PARTNERS SUPPORTING FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE FARES

Sign this petition to support a fair review of Uber Go fares. Let us advocate for change, ensuring that Uber's mission benefits all stakeholders involved, particularly the driver-partners who keep this operation moving.