Taxi service Uber is offering free rides to commuters looking to get out of the Sydney CBD as a hostage situation unfolds inside a cafe in Martin Place.
Earlier today the company received public criticism after the booking app showed a minimum of $65 for a fare out of Martin Place, 2.6x the normal fare and even up to 4x the fare it was earlier today before the events in the CBD unfolded, according to Mashable.
Ordinarily Uber takes a percentage of each fare booked through the company with 'surge pricing' part of Uber's business model. 'Surge pricing' is when Uber increases fares to try to attract more drivers in peak times. Often customers will 'surge pricing' of around 1.5x-2x on a busy Friday or Saturday night. It can get up to 3x the normal price on nights such as New Year's Eve.
However as a siege in Sydney continues into its fifth hour Uber has announced that it will cover the cost of fares for customers wishing to leave the Sydney CBD while still paying drivers the increased surge fare in an effort to encourage them to pick up customers.
NSW Police have issued a warning to everyone in the Sydney CBD to stay inside and those outside of the city to avoid coming in.
