Uber drivers at CNS routinely cancelling rides to manipulate surge pricing

[BP Tablet]

There is no evidence of cartel activity. Airport drivers frequently experience wait times exceeding one hour. Cancellation of shorter trips, particularly UberX, is common. Sometime drivers may have to travel for 10-15mins to pick up at airport. It isnot worth coming a drive. To give you example an $20 fare, Uber retains 30% plus a $2.50 airport fee; the remainder is the driver's compensation which is $12. The final fare is frequently less than the initial estimate due to real-time traffic updates from Google Maps, which occur every 15 minutes. Surge only happens if there are no cars available in the wait rank.

 

[BP Tablet]

When we arr in Cns last year to attend Ozfest, we tried Didi..haha...that didn't exist in Cns although the app suggested it did! We then tried Uber which had some ridiculously high surge pricing....we waited 15-20 mins and the price dropped significantly ($16.81 to Hilton -13 min ride ). No issues catching an Uber back to airport ($12.49 but we had some promo which gave us $8 of the ride -12 min ride).

One of the reason why shorter trips are often cancelled by drivers. They're there to make minimum wage and for 12.49 trip, driver will be lucky to make $7. Uber takes 30% of the trip, $2.50 airport pickup/drop off fee. Fuel, his wages, super etc.

 

[Rich]

One of the reason why shorter trips are often cancelled by drivers. They're there to make minimum wage and for 12.49 trip, driver will be lucky to make $7. Uber takes 30% of the trip, $2.50 airport pickup/drop off fee. Fuel, his wages, super etc.

Then you should take it up with Uber.

 

[Quickstatus]

To give you example an $20 fare, Uber retains 30% plus a $2.50 airport fee; the remainder is the driver's compensation which is $12

Sure, and I think is hard for drivers to make a living out of this. However, the problem is the enticement of the low fares. Thats an Uber problem and also a customer's problem - they now expect the lowest possible fares which are often unsustainable. I just dont think surge pricing is the way to go.

 

[kevrosmith]

Cairns Airport is a business... not a Public Hospital. Of course they're going to charge a fee to operate your business on their facilities. Anyone can't just walk into a Shopping Centre and put up a kiosk to start selling their own products or services. There are commercial agreements required. This is probably why DiDi isn't allowed to operate at CNS Airport.. They probably have not complied with the required commercial arrangements.

Aren't we fortunate that we live in an capitalist style economy where you too can choose what job you perform or business you operate. You too could buy some land, develop a runway, get the appropriate approvals, generate demand, negotiate with airlines and start your own airport... oh but wait, that all takes money.

 

[BP Tablet]

Then you should take it up with Uber.

Do you think they'll listen to drivers??

 

[Happy Dude]

Drivers have no idea where their trip is going until you get in the car. Top drivers get a general direction and length notification but if you cancel one trip a day you would never reach this level. Also, a lot of drivers wouldn't take Port Douglas

One of the reason why shorter trips are often cancelled by drivers.

So how do drivers who aren't "top drivers" know what sort of trip they're cancelling?

Could it be they're cancelling any trip to create a demand and price surge? As mentioned, too many cancellations would affect their status. There's a lot of contradictory info being posted here.

 

[BP Tablet]

Sure, and I think is hard for drivers to make a living out of this. However, the problem is the enticement of the low fares. Thats an Uber problem and also a customer's problem - they now expect the lowest possible fares which are often unsustainable. I just dont think surge pricing is the way to go.

Surge to simplify is because a demand and supply

So how do drivers who aren't "top drivers" know what sort of trip they're cancelling?

Could it be they're cancelling any trip to create a demand and price surge? As mentioned, too many cancellations would affect their status. There's a lot of contradictory info being posted here.

Please be specific about contradictory information. I'll be happy to clear. I'm with uber for over 5 years.

Cancellation effects the status, money coming to the account is same for everyone. Uber pro is standard and diamond driver will get few extra cents off on fuel, trip details before pro users do and sometimes priority pickup. Other than that, nothing is different. There are 5% of diamond drivers in QLD. So, we don't work or uber. We work for ourself. We still own car, pay insurance, pay registration, pay fuel, our wages and super. Uber can reduce their chargers, we cannot control our expenses.

 

[BP Tablet]

So how do drivers who aren't "top drivers" know what sort of trip they're cancelling?

Could it be they're cancelling any trip to create a demand and price surge? As mentioned, too many cancellations would affect their status. There's a lot of contradictory info being posted here.

Diamond and gold drivers make up 10% and work full time. They know where they're going. Rest of them accept the trip,check Waybill and based on that, trip gets accepted or cancelled.

 

[Rich]

Diamond and gold drivers make up 10% and work full time. They know where they're going. Rest of them accept the trip,check Waybill and based on that, trip gets accepted or cancelled.

Clearly from comments here drivers are cancelling and not just the 10% who know the upcoming fare.

 

[BP Tablet]

Clearly from comments here drivers are cancelling and not just the 10% who know the upcoming fare.

It's challenging to persuade someone when their preconceived notions are firmly entrenched.

 

[Rich]

It's challenging to persuade someone when their preconceived notions are firmly entrenched.

You've said nothing persuasive.

 

[BP Tablet]

Ok

 

[jastel]

Genuine question: How does the airport know that a car in the public pick up area is a ride share vehicle? Not all ride share vehicles display a sticker.

At CNS Airport the public drop off area is nearly always manned by a guard.
As said stickers must be displayed...if not that is a Transport Breach.
Also the 6 phones on the dash give it away.
Lastly the passenger (customer) doesnt kiss the driver goodbye.

CNS is still a small enough place that the guards know who is who.

 

[Quickstatus]

So how do drivers who aren't "top drivers" know what sort of trip they're cancelling?

The lower tier Ubers drivers don't. They won't be the ones cancelling as they don't have visibility into the likely length of ride. The ones who are cancelling are those with visibility about the length of the trip and general direction of destination. These are the Uber gold and Diamond drivers. Though they have to maintain a <3% cancellation rate on a rolling month

 

[Quickstatus]

check Waybill and based on that

I think the waybill comes after the ride so that is not relevant to the discussion - it just has details of the completed trip. The gold/diamond guys just cancel on the info uber gives them re estimated duration of trip and general direction.

 

[Pigg]

There is also the significant challenge with Cairns Airport charging a pretty premium for Uber drivers to have access to the airport. This is usually a pain point when the fare is lower than AUD 20. While I am angry everytime I am rejected by Uber drivers at CNS airport, I've realised that Cairns Taxis are more than reliable.
Cairns Airport is an absolute money making machine (like all other airports) and put a huge cost imposition on drivers for Airport pick ups. No wonder they prefer drop offs to pickups.

Everyone pays the airport fee, Taxis, Ubers and busses. The cost is passed on to the customer!

 

[Pigg]

I probably was that uber driver that took you back to the airport,the cartel as quoted is a group of drivers who need to be removed from the airport for 24 hours if cancelling at the airport, however The figures quoted are not the figures the driver receives, all fares from the airport are less $2.50 airport charge and 27.5% uber service fee, so although it's not right some fares from the airport are not viable
Ans the driver does not see the fare or destination until he or she accepts, which is frustrating for all

If you are a top Uber driver then you get to skip the airport queue and also get given the general direction and length of all trips. I presume you are new at Uber driving!

 

[Pigg]

So if you are an expert, why do they do it?

Why ask me? Ask the guys doing it. I'm a top of the status Uber driver in Cairns with 15,000 trips under my belt and a frequent flyer from the airport also, they gain nothing from cancelling. Now, answer me this, why did 15% of my rides cancel on me yesterday when i was already on my way to them? Balls in your court now!

 

[Pigg]

Genuine question: How does the airport know that a car in the public pick up area is a ride share vehicle? Not all ride share vehicles display a sticker.

All rideshare vehicles legally have to display a sticker, front and rear. Transport cops are at the airport, airport access road, Marina drop off, Skyrail etc checking vehicles frequently.

Post automatically merged: Apr 1, 2025

I think the waybill comes after the ride so that is not relevant to the discussion - it just has details of the completed trip. The gold/diamond guys just cancel on the info uber gives them re estimated duration of trip and general direction.

Gold/Diamond guys don't even accept the trip if its not worthwhile so no need to cancel!