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Glasgow Uber passenger’s one mile trip costs more than flight to Spain

Glasgow Uber passenger’s one mile trip costs more than flight to Spain


A Glasgow Uber passenger was left furious after a one mile trip cost him more than a flight to Spain.

Stephen Cook, 65, was forced to fork out a shocking £23.98 after making the short trip to a dentist appointment earlier this month.

Stephen – who suffers from severe arthritis – booked his Uber via the app in time for his appointment at Govan Health Centre on April 10, but he was then left stunned by the quote.

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Stephen, 65, told the Daily Record: “I use Uber quite a lot and I know all too well how their prices can change. But when it came up at nearly £24 I couldn’t believe it.

Stephen's fare

Stephen’s fare -Credit:Daily Record

“I had to rush to make it to my dental appointment which was only 20 minutes later and I didn’t have time to try to find another taxi so I ended up just paying it.

“But this is the very definition of daylight robbery. It’s extortion. It was a 1.3 mile trip so how can that price ever be justified?

“Uber are just ripping people off.”

Stephen could have jetted off from Glasgow to sunny Alicante for less, with discounted trips to the Spanish resort on Ryanair showing for as little as £22.99.

Reacting to the price of flights, a not-so-impressed Stephen said: “It’s crazy when you think of it like that.

“I could have flown to another country on holiday for the same as a trip the local dentist.”

Stephen suffers from severe arthritisStephen suffers from severe arthritis

Stephen suffers from severe arthritis -Credit:Daily Record

Former international trade advisor Stephen is currently on employment support allowance after suffering a heart attack last year, he also requires a double hip replacement for his arthritis and relies on taxis regularly.

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He continued: “I don’t have a car and I rely on taxis. £23 for a short journey is huge dent in the finances of someone on low income or benefits.

“That is a worth a weeks shopping to some people. It’s a disgrace.”

Uber prices can change throughout the day, with the taxi firm adding a price surge (increase) when times are busier or there is less drivers available.

Stephen complained to firm chiefs over the fare.

He said: “At first they doubled down on the fact I accepted the fare.

“They tried to explain that it was down to a lack of cars, and in the end gave me £10 back as a gesture of goodwill.”

But Stephen still can’t see the logic in their price strategy after it cost him just £6 to get an Uber home from the dentist.

He added: “After my appointment I took an Uber home and that only cost me £5.96 – just over an hour later.”

Uber has been contacted for comment.

Flight prices in comparison to Stephen’s Uber trip

From Glasgow

  • Krakow listed as £14.99 (as of April 23)

  • Malaga listed as £20.28 (as of April 23)

  • Alicante listed as £22.99 (as of April 23)

From Edinburgh

  • Faro listed as £16.99 (as of April 23)

  • Palma de Mallorca listed as £18.30 (as of April 23)

  • Bari listed as £21.69 (as of April 23)

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