A man who made a one-mile trip to the dentist using Uber was furious when he realised he had forked out more than the cost of a flight to Spain.
Stephen Cook, who has severe arthritis, booked his Uber via the app in time for his appointment at Govan Health Centre on April 10, but was left stunned by the quote. The 65-year-old patient said: "I use Uber quite a lot and I know all too well how their prices can change. But when it came up at nearly £24 I couldn’t believe it.
“I had to rush to make it to my dental appointment which was only 20 minutes later and I didn't have time to try to find another taxi so I ended up just paying it. But this is the very definition of daylight robbery. It’s extortion. It was a 1.3 mile trip so how can that price ever be justified? Uber are just ripping people off.”
Stephen could have jetted off from Glasgow to sunny Alicante for less, with discounted trips to the Spanish resort on Ryanair showing for as little as £22.99. Reacting to the price of flights, a not-so-impressed Stephen told the Daily Record: “It’s crazy when you think of it like that. I could have flown to another country on holiday for the same as a trip the local dentist."
Flight prices in comparison to Stephen's Uber trip
From Glasgow:
- Krakow listed as £14.99 (as of April 23)
- Malaga listed as £20.28 (as of April 23)
- Alicante listed as £22.99 (as of April 23)
From Edinburgh:
- Faro listed as £16.99 (as of April 23)
- Palma de Mallorca listed as £18.30 (as of April 23)
- Bari listed as £21.69 (as of April 23)
Former international trade advisor Stephen is currently on employment support allowance after having a heart attack last year, he also requires a double hip replacement for his arthritis and relies on taxis regularly. He said: "I don’t have a car and I rely on taxis. £23 for a short journey is huge dent in the finances of someone on low income or benefits.
“That is a worth a weeks shopping to some people. It’s a disgrace.” Uber prices can change throughout the day, with the taxi firm adding a price surge (increase) when times are busier or there are less drivers available. Stephen says he has complained to Uber chiefs over the fare. He said: “At first they doubled down on the fact I accepted the fare. They tried to explain that it was down to a lack of cars, and in the end gave me £10 back as a gesture of goodwill."
But Stephen still can’t see the logic in their price strategy after it cost him just £6 to get an Uber home from the dentist." He added: “After my appointment I took an Uber home and that only cost me £5.96 - just over an hour later.” Uber has been contacted for comment.