Parsons Green Explosion: Uber Surge Pricing Began, But Company Will Refund Users

Some U.K. Uber users complained on social media about price surges during the attack at Parsons Green station in London on Friday. However, the company quickly turned off the increase in prices and promised users in the affected area a refund.

An IED went off inside an underground train, which passengers described as a “fireball.” The explosion, which is being treated as a terrorist attack, ensued a stampede. NHS England said 29 people were taken to the hospital. Police have launched a manhunt for the person or persons responsible for the attack.

The incident led to closures in public transportation, leading people to take cabs, including Uber rides.

After the attack users complained on Twitter about the price surge when taking an Uber.

It's worth noting that one of the tweets was from a person going towards Parsons Green. Uber UK sent out a tweet Friday after the attack saying it had turned off the pricing surge. Dynamic pricing is a surcharge on the Uber app that is automatically turned on during peak usage.

“We are aware of an incident at Parsons Green. We have turned off dynamic pricing and will refund all journeys from the affected area,” said Uber on Twitter.

Uber told International Business Times it always turns off dynamic pricing as soon as they know what the incident is, which means it's usually turned off within a few minutes. However, the dynamic pricing shut down was not enough for some.

This isn’t the first time Uber faces backlash during a terrorist attack. Uber’s dynamic pricing turned on during the Westminster attack, the Manchester explosion at Ariana Grande’s concert, as well as the incident on the London Bridge in June, in which eight people were killed and dozens were wounded.

During the London Bridge incident, where three terrorists ran over pedestrians with a truck, people fleeing the scene were forced to pay increased prices when taking an Uber. The company said increase in prices are automatic but began turning off dynamic pricing when they heard about the attack. Like Parson Greens, Uber promised its riders in the area a refund.

“As soon as we heard about the incident we immediately suspended dynamic pricing all around the area of the attacks – and shortly afterwards across the whole of central London – just as we did following the attacks in Manchester and Westminster,” said Uber in June. “We are also ensuring all rides from around the affected area were free of charge.”

At the time, people in London affected by the prices pointed out other taxi drivers in the area who provided free rides to those who needed to get away from the location. This time around, London taxi drivers again gave free trips again during the attack, according to the Independent.