रञ्जित (Ranjit Mathew)

#Uber has now started doing this insidious thing where they show a longer route to calculate a higher fare, but then use a much shorter route *immediately afterward* for the actual trip. 😠

The app doesn’t let you contest the fare & doesn’t let you connect to a human. 😡

Sep 14, 2025 at 2:44amMastodon for iOS
Show threadAbhinav 🌏Sep 14, 2025
@rmathew Wow, this is so deceptive. Do you see this happen often?
Show threadरञ्जित (Ranjit Mathew)Sep 15, 2025
@abnv On this particular route, it has been happening consistently for the past three weeks.
Show threadEstarriol, Terrorist DragonSep 14, 2025

@rmathew

try not using Uber?

Show threadPteryx the Puzzle SecretarySep 14, 2025

@Thebratdragon @rmathew
For some people that's tantamount to saying "try being trapped in your own home forever?"

Be sensitive to people who can't drive.

Show threadEstarriol, Terrorist DragonSep 14, 2025

@pteryx

Actually, it means look at taxis and other transport methods, rather than just Uber, who have a terrible reputation as a company.

And as a non driver with mobility issues, I know they are out there, because I have to use them.

@rmathew

Show threadJoanna Bryson, blatheringSep 14, 2025
@Thebratdragon @pteryx @rmathew In a lot of europe there's an app called FreeNow that cooperates with a bubnch of services, including taxis. I noticed recently that it's from Lyft, who actually were the first movers Uber kind of stole the thunder from, but at least used to be reputed to be better for drivers in the US.
Show threadaburtchSep 14, 2025
@rmathew @falcennial CC: @pluralistic
Show threadlodditeSep 14, 2025
@rmathew @pluralistic thats smacks of "class action lawsuits are the cost of doing business" attitude
Show threadFriedrich HartmannSep 14, 2025
@rmathew isn’t fare calculated by time? This looks like it could be equal time in ideal conditions, if there is traffic the second option is probably faster. The route me shouldn’t be something that has effect on you customer right to begin with. The base route might be precomputed and not factor in current traffic.
Show threadरञ्जित (Ranjit Mathew)Sep 15, 2025

@friedrich According to their help page (https://help.uber.com/riders/article/how-are-fares-calculated-/), fares are based on time, distance, demand, a base price, etc.

According to Google Maps the longer route takes 20m, while the shorter one takes 13m.