(THE NEW PAPER) - An Uber spokesman said that surge or dynamic pricing ensures that commuters can get a ride even when there is a high demand for drivers.
"During this time, dynamic pricing will automatically go into effect to encourage more drivers to get out on the road and help ensure users always have a ride when they need it most.
"As demand goes down and more cars free up, the rates will go back to normal."
Here are some examples of expensive Uber rides in Singapore and worldwide.
July 2015
Some Uber users complained about paying up to five times the usual amount during the MRT breakdown on July 7.
An Uber spokesman clarified that the surge pricing was later disabled.
He added: "As soon as we were made aware that people were stranded because of the situation with the MRT, we turned off the dynamic pricing feature to help get more commuters in Singapore moving."
Jan 2015
A Uber passenger claimed that he paid $195 for an Uber ride from Sentosa to Woodlands in the early morning on New Year's Day.
The surge pricing was two times during his ride.
Oct 2014
A 26-year-old woman in the US took to the Internet to crowdfund her US$360 (S$512) Uber ride on Halloween night last year.
She only found out about the amount when she woke up and checked her bank account the next morning. The surge pricing during the 20-minute ride was reportedly nine times the usual rate.
