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If your Uber ride across Sydney has started to feel a little more spenny, you’re not imagining things. The kings and queens of convenient journeys recently rolled out a nationwide fare adjustment that will see prices climb in several parts of Sydney – alongside higher minimum fares and expanded peak pricing periods. According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, trips that begin in Sydney’s north are among those set to cost more, with suburbs including Mosman, Manly, Northbridge, Chatswood, Killara, Forestville, Pymble, Wahroonga and Hornsby specifically highlighted.
It’s not just the north shore feeling the bump. Passengers in the eastern suburbs are also likely to notice higher fares when starting a trip in areas like Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill, Bondi, Kensington, Kingsford, Coogee and Maroubra. Meanwhile, rides beginning in the CBD and inner south – including Glebe, Redfern, Marrickville, Newtown and Eastlakes – are also expected to be more expensive, according to the Sydney Morning Herald report.
On top of that, minimum fares are going up across the board. In Sydney, the base price will increase to $11, while riders in Melbourne will pay a minimum of $11.50.
Short trips are also becoming more expensive. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the change comes after years of complaints from riders that drivers would sometimes decline shorter rides in the hope of receiving a longer, more profitable journey through the app’s algorithm.
Peak pricing is shifting too. Periods when drivers earn higher fares – traditionally late nights and weekend rushes – are being expanded nationwide to include more busy windows such as morning commute hours and late nights during the week. The move is designed to encourage more drivers to log in during high-demand periods.
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According to an Uber spokesperson, the changes are designed to boost driver earnings while keeping rides broadly accessible for customers.
“We regularly review our fares to ensure we’re striking the right balance between supporting strong earning opportunities for driver partners while continuing to offer reliable, affordable options for riders,” the spokesperson told us.
“From this week, we are updating Uber fares which will increase driver earnings by an average of 6% across Australia. These changes build on work already underway and reflect our ongoing commitment to better supporting driver earnings over time.”
The Uber team added that rising operating costs – including fuel – remain a concern for many drivers (and frankly, we get it).
“We know operating costs, including fuel, remain front of mind for many driver partners, making continued support more important than ever. Alongside these changes, we’ll continue investing in initiatives like our Uber Pro program, which offers discounts on fuel and EV charging, as well as other savings to help reduce expenses.”
Uber says riders will still be shown an upfront fare before confirming their trip, allowing passengers to see the price before they hop in the car – even if that price might now be a little higher than before.