Uber adds fuel surcharge to help drivers with no end in sight to Middle Eastern conflict

Popular rideshare company Uber is set to bring a surcharge to rides in Australia due to the high petrol prices caused by the Middle East conflict.

Customers will be charged an extra 5c per km, unless they are travelling in electric vehicles.

A joint statement from Uber and the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) confirmed the price increase.

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"Uber and the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) have been working closely together to address rising fuel costs for drivers," Emma Foley, Managing Director, Uber Australia said.

"Following constructive discussions, Uber will introduce a temporary fuel surcharge to provide driver partners temporary relief in response to the current fuel crisis.

"It will start on April 15 and run until 8 June, and all the extra money will go to the drivers.

Michael Kaine, National Secretary, Transport Workers Union said: "Rideshare drivers have been struggling under skyrocketing fuel costs, and Uber's actions acknowledge this with meaningful cost relief."

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Last month another rideshare firm, DiDi Australia informed drivers its fuel surcharge will be increased to five cents per kilometre.

The extra charge per kilometre will go directly to the driver.

DiDi Australia's head of external affairs Dan Jordan said the surcharge will help "ease the financial burden many drivers are facing".

"To help offset these increasing operating costs, DiDi will increase the temporary fuel surcharge applied to every DiDi trip nationwide," he said.

"This adjustment is designed to provide additional support to drivers while fuel prices remain elevated."

Some uber drivers had called for that company to follow suit.

The Prime Minister is visiting Brunei and Malaysia this week in a bid to secure fuel supplies.

He says last week's trip to Singapore achieved results.

Albanese said his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong produced a "win-win" for both nations over the mutual supply of oil and gas.

"There is absolutely a deal of secure supply," he said.

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