Uber tests dispatch fees for declined ride requests

Uber has begun testing a new policy that charges drivers a dispatch fee for ride requests sent to them, even if the driver chooses to decline or ignore the request. The company states the goal is to optimize its distribution algorithm by directing trips to drivers closest to the pickup point and discouraging drivers from remaining online without the intention of accepting rides.

The pilot program is currently active in Malmö, Sweden, and Basel, Switzerland. In Malmö, the fee is 2 Swedish kronor per request, while in Basel, the cost is 0.30 Swiss francs per request. To avoid these charges, the platform recommends that drivers switch their status to offline when they are not actively looking for trips.

Data indicates that high wait times are a primary driver for passenger cancellations, accounting for approximately 48% of instances. Uber has not yet announced plans to implement this specific charging model in other markets, such as Brazil.