Surge alerts are finally here!

After 12 years of Uber being in existence, Uber is finally telling us when there is a surge around us via a notification like the one shown below.

Now, most new(er) drivers probably have no idea what a surge is, so let us explain. A surge is a surcharge a rider pays to get a rider to pick them up. This typically happens when there is a lot of demand in one particular area and when there are NOT enough drivers. As a good rule of thumb, the fewer drivers available to the number of riders requesting – the more this surcharge increases. It is simple supply and demand.

In the past, where you see a surge, you end up driving to it in order to catch a ride. Some of these you can plan, like those 2 am bar closings, concerts, sports events, etc. There are some like out here in Harmaston, TX that randomly happen.

The higher the bonus/surge – the more likely you to get a ride (in this image, drive towards the $6 area) You would be a fool to take a $2.75 surge ride over the $6 ride.

For the last 12 years, Uber has NEVER given a Surge alert until now. While as a driver, I get paid more money, I find it pretty shady of Uber (Lyft included) that they charge riders more because of supply and demand, but do not take steps to actively tell drivers who may be offline in order for the prices to lower back down.

I hope this feature is here to stay. As a part-time driver, I am usually at home with nothing to do. It is pointless for me to log in on a weekday in the suburbs, but if Uber or Lyft notified me of a surge, I know it is at least busy enough for me to want to log in.

This is a great move by Uber. I suspect Lyft to follow suit shortly as they usually copy one another but this truly the only update I have liked in the last several years.