Dear Uber Management,

We, the undersigned private hire drivers working for Uber, are writing to express our deep concerns and dissatisfaction regarding the current state of affairs within the company. As the backbone of Uber's operations, we feel it is our responsibility to bring to your attention the issues that have been affecting us and our ability to sustain a decent livelihood. We urge you to take immediate action to address these grievances for the benefit of both the drivers and the overall Uber community.

1. Fare Transparency: It is disheartening to note that fare transparency does not exist within the Uber platform. As drivers, we are often left in the dark regarding the breakdown of fares, making it difficult for us to understand how our earnings are calculated. We demand that Uber provide clear and transparent information on fare calculations to ensure fairness and trust between the company and its drivers.

2. Unfair Fares: The current fare structure is unfair and fails to match inflation. As the cost of living continues to rise, our earnings remain stagnant or even decrease. We believe that it is imperative for Uber to revise the fare structure to ensure that drivers receive fair compensation for their services, taking into account the rising costs of fuel, maintenance, and other expenses associated with our profession.

3. Inconsistent Hour Restrictions: We have noticed a discrepancy in the hour restrictions imposed on Uber drivers compared to drivers working for other companies. While we understand the importance of driver safety and preventing fatigue, it is unfair that Uber drivers face stricter limitations on the number of hours they can work, while drivers from other companies do not face the same restrictions. We demand equal treatment and fair regulations for all private hire drivers, regardless of the platform they choose to work with.

4. High Trip Commission: The current trip commission charged by Uber is unreasonably high and puts a significant burden on our earnings. We believe that the trip commission should be capped at a maximum of 15% to ensure that drivers receive a fair share of their hard-earned fares. Uber commission percentage per trip should be visible by the drivers before the journey starts.

5. Low Out of Town Prices: The prices for trips outside of our local areas are extremely low and often unsustainable for us as drivers. We urge Uber to review and adjust the out of town pricing to ensure that it aligns with the actual costs and efforts required for these trips. Fair compensation for out of town rides is essential for our livelihoods.

6. Unequal Incentives: It has come to our attention that incentives are being paid out to wheelchair vehicle drivers in Brighton, while drivers from other areas such as Lewes, Chichester, and others are not receiving any incentives whatsoever. This inconsistency is unfair and creates a sense of inequality among drivers. We demand that Uber provide equal opportunities for all drivers to receive incentives based on their performance, regardless of their location or vehicle type.

7. Dynamic Pricing Policy: The current dynamic pricing policy places an unfair burden on drivers. During peak hours or high-demand periods, fares can skyrocket, but drivers do not receive a proportional increase in earnings. We urge Uber to review and adjust the dynamic pricing policy to ensure that drivers receive a fair share of the increased fares during these times.

8. Per Trip Holiday Pay: The introduction of per trip holiday pay is not welcomed by drivers. This policy puts additional financial strain on drivers, as it reduces our overall earnings. We demand that Uber discontinues the per trip holiday pay policy and explores alternative ways to provide fair compensation for drivers during holidays.

9. Cancellation Fee: The cancellation fee for Uber should be increased due to extended waiting time. Currently, the cancellation fee is low and should be £5. Additionally, Uber should not take any commission on the cancellation fee.

10. Fee for reserve trip cancellation: The fee for reserved trip cancellation should be increased due to the extended waiting time. The current cancellation fee for reserve trip is £3.75 but it should be adjusted to reflect the inconvenience caused by the extended waiting time up to 30 minutes.

In light of these concerns, we, the undersigned private hire drivers, have decided to take a united stand to bring attention to these issues. We plan to switch off the Uber application on the 14th October 2023 as a symbolic gesture of our protest. We invite all drivers to join us in signing this letter and showing their support for our cause. We will be gathering to sign the letter on Eaton Road, Hove between 11.00 AM and 13.00 PM on the same day.

We hope that Uber management will take our concerns seriously and work towards resolving these issues promptly. We believe that by addressing these grievances, Uber can create a fairer and more transparent platform that benefits both the drivers and the company as a whole.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We eagerly await your response.

Sincerely,

Signatory Drivers