Rideshare, transportation companies look for ways to offset increasing gas prices

METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — The Russian invasion is causing gas prices in the United States to surge. The transportation industry and its consumers are being impacted by the high gas prices.

Uber will begin charging customers a surcharge on March 16 to help drivers offset the rising gas prices. The surcharge will remain in place for the next two months, but the city of New York is excluded from the surcharge.

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Customers will notice a surcharge between 45 cents and 55 cents for Uber rides.

A surcharge between 35 cents and 45 cents will be added to Uber Eats deliveries.

Uber is hoping the temporary surcharge will offset rising gas prices for its drivers.

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The amount of money Tony Patterson spends on gas as an Uber driver has doubled, while his take home pay has remained the same.

“At this point now, I’m just paying bills and getting gas, basically,” said Tony Patterson who is an Uber driver.

Patterson believes he’ll only make an extra $20 after 40 rides with the new surcharge.

“It would help a lot more if that 55 cents went towards per mile or per minute on the ride. That will actually pay the drivers,” said Patterson.

Motor Coach companies are also feeling the impact of high gas prices.

“The cost of riding motor coaches just like the cost of airlines have increased. We still are proud to say that we are probably still the most affordable group transportation,” said Clarence Cox, CEO of Georgia coach lines and the President of the Georgia Motor Coach Operators Association.

Cox’s company offers transportation for large groups including sports teams, wedding parties and schools.

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Before the surge in gas prices, Cox’s company spent $700 to fill one of its motor coaches. Now, it costs more than $1,000.

“As we try to navigate through these trying times to see a fuel increase has really created an issue that we have to pass those costs onto our customers,” Cox said. “It’s going to affect our kids. These kids are taking school trips. We are having to pass those costs increases onto those folks. If we’re going to stay in business, that’s the only way we will be able to operate efficiently, is to pass those costs on, and we are trying to do that in small increments.”

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