An Uber passenger was left fuming after a one mile taxi trip cost him more than a flight to Spain.
Disabled Glasgow man Stephen Cook, 65, was forced to fork out a shocking £23.98 when he made the short trip to the dentist appointment earlier this month.
Stephen, who lives on Paisley Road West in the city, booked his cab on the global taxi firm's app for his visit to Govan Health Centre on April 10, but was left stunned at the quote.
Stephen, who has severe arthritis, told the Record: “I had a dental appointment at Govan health centre at 12.20pm.
“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.”
The Record checked the current price of flights abroad from Glasgow and worked out that Stephen could have jetted off to sunny Alicante for less, with with discounted trips to the Spanish resort on Ryanair showing for as little as £22.99.
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Reacting to the price of flights, fuming Stephen said: “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."
Former international trade advisor Stephen is currently on employment support allowance after suffering a heart attack last year, he also requires a double hip replacement for his arthritis and relies on taxis regularly.
He continued: “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.
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“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 is less drivers available.
Stephen complained to firm 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.
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)
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