DiDi makes major move amid ongoing fuel price surge in Australia
As fuel prices continue to rise across Australia, ride-sharing company DiDi is offering drivers a per-kilometre bonus.
The bonus given to the drivers will be covered by the customer and will be included in the trip fee for each trip.
The move begins on Wednesday and is designed to help drivers earn more to offset rising operating costs.
Fuel costs will be 5 cents per kilometer and will be borne entirely by the driver.
DiDi introduced the fuel surcharge in Australia for the first time in October 2022, when the federal government reintroduced a fuel excise tax of three cents per kilometer.
This is the highest fuel surcharge DiDi has introduced in Australia.
Dan Jordan, head of external affairs, said the company was aware of the pressure rising fuel prices were putting on drivers.
“High costs at the pump directly impact their ability to earn from the platform,” he said.
“To help offset these increased operating costs, DiDi will increase the temporary fuel surcharge applied to every DiDi journey across the country. This adjustment is designed to provide additional support to drivers while fuel prices remain high.”
Mr Jordan said DiDi would continue to review its pricing structure and service fees.
“This increase in the fuel surcharge is another step to ensure drivers receive additional support at a time when operating costs are higher,” he said.
This comes after some Uber drivers threatened to resign if prices were not increased to account for high fuel costs.
Drivers who made money using the app had to absorb a 50 percent increase in fuel costs without any additional income or fare reduction from the app.
Some people on the public Uber Driver Forum said: “Uber needs to come to the party with a fuel subsidy or a reduction in fares.”
Another user wrote: “Currently high gas prices are costing me an extra $200 a week. If this doesn’t end soon and there’s a fuel shortage, looks like I’ll be getting the hell out of the way.”
A spokesperson for Uber told News Corp that the company was aware that recent fuel price increases were impacting drivers and delivery drivers using Uber and the Uber Eats app.
“Uber is actively monitoring conditions as they evolve and regularly reviewing ways to support driver partners and delivery drivers as conditions change,” he said.
“We’re always looking for ways we can continue to support them, including through our Uber Pro program, which offers discounts on fuel and EV charging, as well as other savings to help reduce their expenses.”
