(Bloomberg) — Uber Technologies Inc. is now allowing some users in Brazil to pay more for shorter wait times, as high gas prices have led to a dearth of drivers.
The ride-hailing company is testing a priority feature in the downtown areas of three Brazilian cities, it said in a statement Thursday. The priority rides will cost as much as 20% more than the basic fee and will be available based on demand.
Brazil is currently facing a shortage of drivers, as gasoline prices, which have soared nearly 40% over the past year, have driven many motorists off the roads. In Sao Paulo, Latin America’s largest metropolis, it’s estimated that a quarter of ride-share drivers have quit since the start of the pandemic, according to the city’s Association of App Drivers.
San Francisco-based Uber said it’s testing the feature ahead of the holidays and the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, which should drive a surge in demand.
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