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Uber And Lyft Giving Refunds For Surge Pricing During CTA Stoppage

By Kelly Bauer | August 17, 2017 2:39pm | Updated on August 17, 2017 3:39pm
 Uber has refunded people who had to pay costly surge prices when the Brown, Red and Purple lines were down Tuesday morning.
Uber has refunded people who had to pay costly surge prices when the Brown, Red and Purple lines were down Tuesday morning.
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Uber

CHICAGO — Uber and Lyft have refunded people who had to pay costly surge prices when the Brown, Red and Purple lines were down earlier this week.

Uber said it gave refunds to people who "experienced higher-than-average prices in the affected" areas on Tuesday morning. The refund will cover what people paid versus the average cost of a trip on a weekday morning.

The train lines were down on the North Side for about three hours, leading to a high demand for Uber and Lyft rides. Those rides came with eye-popping prices, such as $110 to get from Lakeview to the Loop. That trip could cost as little as $13 without surge pricing.

The city accused ride-share companies of "tak[ing] advantage" of commuter problems.

"Every transportation provider — public and private — has a role to play in keeping our communities moving," Uber said in an emailed statement on Thursday. "And due to the tragic incident Tuesday morning, our communities felt stranded.

"While we took steps to help mitigate the impact on commuters as soon as we learned of the CTA stoppage, we have issued refunds to riders who experienced higher-than-average prices in the affected areas."

Lyft was up 5½ times its usual rate during the scramble. Uber rates were 3½ times the normal fare, according to a rider.

Uber said the refunds will not impact drivers who logged rides during the CTA stoppage.