DEEP DIVE: How Uber drivers game surge pricing

According to Uber drivers, it's the "oldest trick in the book": gaming the system to charge you more.

In some cases, it could mean you end up paying 2 or 3 times the normal cost of a trip.

So how does the trick work?

Well, triple j hack has been speaking to drivers about how they create artificial surge prices, leaving passengers out of pocket.

And even more remarkably, the union representing them reckons the consequences for passengers are entirely on Uber itself, because drivers aren't being paid enough for their work.

So is any of this fair?

We chatted to a few drivers to get an inside look at the industry, as well as a CHOICE spokesperson to find out what this could mean for your next Uber ride.

A version of this episode was first published in August 2025.

Guest: 

• Jarni Blakkarly, investigative journalist, CHOICE

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