Uber price gouges desperate Sydney residents as fares surge while trains go into meltdown over ‘communication issues’
Commuters in Sydney are facing a transport crisis with Uber prices surging as trains around the city come to a standstill.
The entire Sydney trains network came to a complete stop during the afternoon rush on Wednesday.
At about 2.45pm the computer screens at Central Station, in the city’s CBD, went completely blank instead of showing when the next scheduled trains would arrive.
Sydney Trains shared a warning to customers on Twitter at 3.50pm, saying: ‘Trains are not running due a train communication issue affecting the whole network.
‘Please use alternate travel options where possible. We expect this to continue into afternoon peak services, updates to follow.’
Uber customers around Sydney said their usual trips had skyrocketed in price to coincide with the train closure (pictured, the cost of an Uber from the CBD to Marrickville on Wednesday)
When trains are down, many Sydneysiders would often opt to catch an Uber home but unexpected price rises on Wednesday afternoon saw many decide to wait out the train crisis or catch a bus.
Customers said the outage has jacked up the prices of Ubers, with trips across Sydney costing commuters up to $90.
One commuter posted a screenshot of one trip from the middle of the city to Bondi that was charging $88.21.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Uber for comment.