Heather Curtis
WASHINGTON (WMAL) — Uber’s expanding its ride-splitting service UberPOOL to every area in the D.C. region with regular Uber service while Metro’s Safe Track plan is underway, but don’t expect any bargains.
That expansion will be part of a $10 million investment the rideshare company will make to get people around during the maintenance surge. The company will also offer drivers incentives to get them to work in the most congested areas, and give discount codes to riders who use UberPool.
One thing Uber doesn’t plan to do at this point is get rid of surge pricing to keep fares from climbing into the stratosphere.
Uber’s East Coast general manager Meaghan Joyce said surge pricing goes into effect automatically when a computer algorithm finds there is more demand for rides in a given area than there are drivers.
“We’re not sure how these closures will affect the availability of rides on the road or the demand for those rides, and we’re gonna be watching and monitoring our dynamic pricing very closely to ensure that there are rides available when people need them but that we keep the options as affordable as possible,” Joyce said.
Joyce doesn’t know how high surge prices will climb but recommended using UberPOOL for the most reasonably-priced fare. UberPOOL prices are quoted in advance so riders know how much it will cost before they get into the car.
Robert Marus, the communications director for the Office of the Attorney General of D.C., said he doesn’t think his office is doing anything specific to protect people against price gouging during Safe Track and isn’t sure anti-gouging statues would apply in this case.
Safe Track starts June 4 with 13 days of continuous single tracking between Ballston and East Falls Church on the Orange and Silver lines.
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