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'Uber makes billions but drivers get peanuts'

Ana da Silva
BBC News, Bristol
BBC Group photo of drivers picketing. Some sings read "End unfair dismissals", "#uberstrike" and "£2 per mile scrap fixed pricing"BBC
Taxi drivers held a demonstration outside a meeting between Uber executives and union members

Some Uber taxi drivers claim they are earning half of what they did a year ago as their costs have increased and the company's commission charges have risen.

Drivers protested outside Bristol's Ashton Gate stadium on Friday as Uber executives met with GMB union members.

It follows previous demonstrations held by taxi drivers across the country, including in Bristol, against Uber's commission rates.

A spokesperson from Uber said it charges drivers higher commission rates than it did before, but said they are only "slightly higher".

A woman is holding a phone that shows a print screen of an Uber trip costing £25.69 from Bristol BS7 and Newport, lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. She is wearing a yellow jumper and looks straight at the camera.
Karolina says Uber keeps 40 to 50% of the fare she earns in some of her trips

Karolina, who didn't want to give her full name, is an Uber driver in the city and said she is struggling to earn a living.

"You get £1.20 per mile if you're lucky," she said.

"I'm driving every day 12 to 15 hours, but their commission is too high."

A representative from Uber said 30 drivers attended the meeting on Friday with company executives.

In January, a short experiment was conducted by the BBC which demonstrated commission rates of about 47%.

A man is looking straight into the camera. He wears a blue sweater and doesn't look too happy. In the background you can see some Bristol landmarks.
Florin Talos says it is getting harder to earn a living as an Uber driver

Uber driver Florin Stalos works in Bristol and said he is making significantly less now compared to a year ago.

"Our expenses are going up, but the earnings are going down every month.

"I used to make around £800 every week, before expenses. Now, I make £350-£400 a week.

"Uber is making billions in profits, but drivers get peanuts," he added.

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