Heavy rains and flooding in Bengaluru have led to widespread disruption, with Uber facing backlash on social media for charging excessive fares. A user shared on X that he was charged an unusually high price for a short 12 km ride while stuck in the rain with his family and a kid. For the unversed, the city is on high alert due to severe waterlogging and traffic jams, making affordable transportation hard to find. Many residents have criticized Uber's surge pricing as unfair during this emergency.

The user wrote, "Why such high prices? @Uber_India If a family is stuck in the rain with a small kid, is this what we expect from you? This is beyond shameless monopoly and utter nonsense. For 12 km in rains, how much can you charge? Humanity is lost. Bangalore traffic and then these mafias."

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The user's post ignited a heated debate online, splitting opinions among netizens. While some defended Uber, saying surge pricing is a fair way to manage demand during emergencies, others sided with the user, criticizing the steep fares as unfair and exploitative.

One user criticized the company, saying, "This is a normal thing for @Uber_India @rapidobikeapp in rain, they keep increasing the prices they have no shame in hiking prices which are not at all justifiable, and the sad part is the govt is not even looking into these things."

Others defended the pricing, pointing to the challenges drivers face, with one explaining, "Well, this is normal as per the demand vs supply rule. If people refer to the humanity quotient, it applies to the Uber driver also, who will take far more pain to complete a rainy ride!" Another added, "Do you know how much traffic jam is? The driver has to pass through all of these. Since no one is willing to come, the price fluctuations... Ask the govt, not the company."

Several users noted that longer travel times and fewer available drivers justify higher fares, saying, "My guess is rain -> traffic -> more travel time -> more price.....travel time plays a major part in price," and "Typically drivers tend to not accept bookings under those conditions for regular prices. Only way to get more drivers to accept more rides at those times is to offer them more money."

Notably, high demand for cabs during heavy rainfall drives up prices due to basic supply and demand dynamics. Surge pricing, commonly used by cab services like Uber and Ola during peak times or extreme weather, further raises fares. Additionally, rising fuel costs may also contribute to the increased prices.

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