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Article

20 Apr 2016

Author:
Peter Kovessy, Doha News (Qatar)

Lower fares backfire against Uber Qatar after drivers take action

See all tags Allegations

A meeting...between Uber officials and drivers in Qatar ended in an impasse, according to some drivers, who say they’ll continue refusing to pick up passengers during certain times of the day to protest new, lower fares...Uber...announced it was reducing its fares by 15 percent in an effort to attract more passengers. The technology company takes a 20 percent commission from fares, and the move means drivers take in even less money per trip...Several other drivers...are on “strike” and have refused to open up the mobile application that connects them with Uber customers. The drivers aren’t directly employed by Uber and actually work for private limousine companies...To put pressure on Uber, drivers...plan to coordinate and log off from the company’s system in unison at different times of the day...A Dubai-based Uber spokesperson told Doha News that company representatives were meeting with drivers...to discuss their concerns...Uber general manager Chris Free said the company would be guaranteeing its drivers a certain level of earnings, or Uber would make up the difference.

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