CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you're preparing to get an Uber or Lyft ride soon, be prepared to wait and pay more.
Ridesharing companies are currently trying to handle increasing demand as the U.S. begins to return to normalcy with eased COVID-19 restrictions. More people are getting vaccinated and going out, which has led to a demand increase. However, there are fewer drivers who feel comfortable driving those people around, thus creating less supply.
Several people tagged WCNC Charlotte in comments about this issue. The comments touched on drivers not making as much money as years past or feeling comfortable being in a vehicle with a stranger due to the pandemic.
Then from the rider perspective, several people said they have had trouble finding a ride, drivers canceling on them after being assigned and the ride itself costing a lot more than it has in the past.
"They're averaging about $10 more than what they have been in the past," a rideshare user named Paula told WCNC Charlotte, adding she supposed drivers needed to make more money than was previously the case.
WCNC Charlotte asked Paula how she knew it was more expensive.
"Charged $35 today, average before was about $20," she said.
That's a 75% increase.
Chan Garrett, another rideshare user, said she has noticed an increase in prices as well.
"I make this trip all the time, going from here to Uptown about $10-$12, now it is $17 to $25," Garrett said.
To add to the availability predicament, both companies are offering free rides to vaccination sites, which could make rides even less available to those not needing a lift to get their vaccine.
Meanwhile, taxi drivers have noticed a price increase as well -- but not much.
"It's not much, like 20 cent increase," taxi driver Ghirmay Negusse said.
With this being said, Uber and Lyft say they're trying to recruit new drivers. Only Uber has released a plan, saying it will invest $250 million dollars to recruit new drivers.
Contact Rachel Lundberg at rlundberg@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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