Tamira Moncur refrained from filling her tank at a gas station in the Atlanta area last month, fearing she could not afford the expense. The part-time teacher and Lyft driver is uncertain how long she can sustain her side job if fuel prices continue to increase.
Moncur expressed her concerns to CNN, stating, “I’m working now for rideshare, but I don’t know what that’s going to look like next week. Because if gas is $4 a gallon, I’m done.” She represents a significant number of Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart drivers reliant on their vehicles for income. Following the US-Israeli conflict and subsequent tensions with Iran, gas prices have surged, leaving many drivers with no alternative but to absorb these costs to continue their work.
The national average price for a gallon of regular gas recently exceeded $4 for the first time since 2022, having risen over a dollar in just one month. GasBuddy reported that Americans have spent upwards of $8 billion more in the past month to fuel their vehicles. Leanne Hall, an Uber driver in Las Vegas for five years, expressed her concern about profitability, stating, “If gas prices keep going up, it’d be foolish to do it.”
The rise in gas prices follows increased tensions in Iran, which disrupted 20% of the global oil supply, pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel. In response to these challenges, rideshare and delivery platforms have introduced measures to assist drivers with fuel expenses. Uber announced a $1 discount per gallon through the cash back platform, Upside, while Lyft and DoorDash have implemented their own cashback offers.
However, many drivers remain unaware of these initiatives. An Uber and Lyft driver in New York, Abdallah Lukman, stated that they had not been informed of any such offers. Unlike previous support provided by the companies during the 2022 gas price surge following the invasion of Ukraine, which included direct fuel surcharges, the current measures seem less effective.
In light of the ongoing difficulties, Moncur and her fellow drivers continue to search for viable financial solutions, with some suggesting that higher per-mile rates might be necessary. As the situation unfolds, support for drivers may evolve, though uncertainty remains prevalent.
