“Uber has not implemented any indiscriminate tariff reductions. We make targeted increases and reductions in different tariff components whenever market conditions require it, frequently throughout the year,” stated an official source from the electronic application-based transportation service company.
The Portuguese Association of Transporters in Uncharacterized Automobiles (APTAD) sent a letter to Uber Portugal today, expressing “absolute indignation at the new unilateral tariff reduction” by the platform.
Uber noted that “APTAD has once again opted to send an open letter to the media instead of addressing it” to the company directly, adding that it did not receive “any letter” from the association “on this subject.”
“Each day of the week, time of day, and region of the country is different and reviewed independently with the aim of maximizing driver income, ensuring a balance between supply and demand, an essential factor for available trips and sustainable incomes,” explained the platform in a response sent to Lusa.
The Uber source emphasized that income through the platform “has been increasing” and that by 2025, it “will allow drivers, couriers, operators, and merchants to earn over one billion euros.”
“Raising prices is not synonymous with increasing revenues, as maintaining a constant balance between supply and demand and the growth of demand, currently above the growth of supply, is critical,” they clarified.
Furthermore, the platform assured that “all information about current tariffs,” as well as “details related to each travel request (net value, distance to pickup, travel distance, estimated time, pickup, and delivery addresses), is always transparently presented to drivers,” so they can accept or reject each service “without penalty.”
Uber stated that it “regularly listens to drivers and TVDE operators [acronym for transportation in uncharacterized vehicles through electronic platforms] to improve their experience, frequently meeting with various sector partners,” and is ready to meet with APTAD again.
In a letter accessed by Lusa, APTAD President Ivo Fernandes stated that the decision made by Uber Portugal, “with the kilometer dropping to 0.52 euros and the minute remaining at an unacceptable 0.08 euros,” is “irresponsible, unjustifiable, and shows total disregard for the drivers and operators who ensure daily service.”
Last week, Uber and the National Association of Industry and Energy (Sindel) signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a new work model through digital platforms, with protections adapted to the reality of these workers.
The memorandum also establishes that Uber will ensure that no courier or driver represented by Sindel “will receive an income below the national minimum wage during the periods they are providing services through their platforms, regardless of the prices offered to consumers.”
Ivo Fernandes questions what sense there is in further lowering “prices,” after Uber’s announcement less than a week ago “guaranteeing it would start paying according to the minimum wage.”
Thus, the leader demands that the Government clearly and urgently act “immediately to amend the law,” considering it “more than demonstrated that current legislation fully covers these harmful practices and leaves drivers and operators unprotected.”
The National Movement Association TVDE (ANM-TVDE) also spoke on the agreement, lamenting that Sindel, the union that “should serve and protect digital platform workers,” has chosen to act “as a commercial intermediary” for Uber.
