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Uber prices drop in Auckland and Wellington
Fri, 22nd Apr 2016
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Uber this week announced it will be dropping its price by 20% in Auckland and Wellington, while at the same time upping cancellation fees in the capital.

The company says the 20% price drop on uberX means Auckland and Wellington now have the cheapest uberX prices in the country.

In a company blog post, Uber says a drive from Mt Eden to Auckland Airport, which previously would cost approximately $45, would now cost around $36. In Wellington, a drive from Newtown to the Railway Station would set a passenger back $11 dollars, down from around $14 before the price drop.

Uber will also be dropping the $25 flat fare from Wellington Airport to the CBD, and trips on this route will now be prices on regular uberX prices.

Wellingtonians will also have to pay an increased cancellation fee within the city, with Uber doubling the fee from $5 to $10.

“Not only will this make it more affordable for you to get where you need to go, but from past experience, for driver-partners, higher demand for rides means more time moving people, less time spent waiting around and more money in their back pocket,” Uber says.

The company says it will continue to ensure all Uber drivers have passed a criminal background check from the Ministry of Justice, as well as a driving history check from the New Zealand Transport Agency before they can drive on the Uber platform. The company has, however, removed the requirement for a commercial licence.

On top of the price changes, Uber says all Uber cars coming onto the platform as of this week are required to be 2006 or newer and have at least private third party property damage insurance.