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Uber’s latest test offers good news & bad: fixed fares, but surge pricing less visible

The Verge reports that Uber is testing a new version of its app that offers customers good news and bad. On the plus side, it will specify a fixed fare up-front, so you know exactly what you’ll be paying. On the downside, it will be much less obvious when surge-pricing is in effect …

Uber is testing a new version of its app that makes surge pricing nearly invisible to customers. The lightning bolt on the home screen and pop-up box notifying riders that their fare will be multiplied are both gone. Instead, riders who input their destinations will be presented with an ironclad, upfront fare.

The prominent surge-price warning will be replaced by faint text noting that there is ‘increased demand’ for Uber services.

Uber is currently testing the approach in six U.S. cities, as well as in parts of India. The U.S. cities where you may see the new approach are New York City, Miami, San Diego, Philadelphia, Seattle and some parts of New Jersey. The company says that it believes customers will like the change.

“No math,” Uber says, “no surprises.”

Uber expects to roll out the approach globally within the next few months. The company introduced family profiles back in March, allowing all usage within a family to be charged to a single card.

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