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DiDi Australia has announced an adjustment to its pricing structure, notifying drivers of an increase in the fuel surcharge to five cents per kilometer, effective immediately. This additional charge will be directly added to the fare of every trip.
Importantly, this extra fee is designated to go straight into the pockets of DiDi drivers, providing them with a little more financial relief amidst rising fuel costs.
This move follows the introduction of a three-cent per kilometer fuel surcharge by the rideshare company back in 2022, a response to the federal government’s implementation of the fuel excise tax at that time.
The revised surcharge will affect all rides within the 28 cities across Australia where DiDi operates, ensuring that every journey contributes to offsetting drivers’ expenses.
Dan Jordan, DiDi Australia’s Head of External Affairs, commented on the change, emphasizing that this adjustment is aimed at alleviating the economic pressure many drivers currently experience.
“At DiDi, we recognise the ongoing pressure that rising fuel prices are placing on our drivers across Australia, with higher costs at the pump directly affecting their ability to earn on the platform,” Jordan said.
“To help offset these increasing operating costs, DiDi will increase the temporary fuel surcharge applied to every DiDi trip nationwide. This adjustment is designed to provide additional support to drivers while fuel prices remain elevated.
“Supporting our driver community remains a priority.
“We continue to review our pricing structure and service fees with the goal of improving driver earning opportunities, and this increase to the fuel surcharge is another step in ensuring drivers receive additional support during a period of higher operating costs.”
Australia’s largest rideshare app Uber is yet to pass on the rising cost of fuel to passengers.
Some drivers have taken to social media to claim they cannot keep driving for Uber until petrol prices shrink.
“Unless Uber charges riders a significant fuel surcharge, no way [I] will be doing rideshare until that price starts dropping,” one driver said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Uber said the company is ”actively monitoring conditions as they evolve”.
“We recognise recent fuel price increases are having an effect across a wide range of industries, including for driver partners and delivery people who use the Uber and Uber Eats app to earn,” a spokesperson said.
“We are always looking for ways we can continue to support them, including our Uber Pro program which offers discounts on fuel and EV charging, as well as other savings to help reduce their expenses.”
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) have jointly called on rideshare companies to protect gig workers from absorbing the cost of surging fuel.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said drivers are being unfairly squeezed at petrol stations around Australia, at a time when weekly profits are already thinning out due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“If they can’t pass those on to clients with healthier balance sheets, that increases deadly pressure to delay vital vehicle maintenance, push longer hours and skip breaks,” he said.
“Transport already suffers from razor-thin margins and safety is the first thing put under strain.
“We need transport clients to step up and be part of the solution to keep our critical supply chains running safely and sustainably. This keeps both drivers and the public safe on our roads.”
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