An Uber passenger has reported being charged £85 for a journey in east London that should have taken just five minutes. Hannah Warman told the Evening Standard that she fell asleep during the ride and woke up to find the trip taking much longer than expected.
Uber investigated the incident and stated that the destination was changed three times during the trip. The company said it is speaking to the licensed driver to establish what happened. This follows a similar case in March when Daniel Kaizen was charged over £100 for a journey that should have cost £15.
Uber's system automatically charges the rider's linked card after the journey, and receipts are sent via email. Unlike traditional taxis where passengers pay the driver directly, Uber's digital process can make it easier for overcharging to go unnoticed until the receipt arrives.
Uber encourages drivers to take the most efficient route or the one requested by the rider. The company says it investigates complaints and refunds fares when detours are confirmed. Drivers who repeatedly take inefficient routes may receive poor ratings, which can affect their ability to continue driving for the platform.
