doordash
Bulletins

Uber and Lyft added surcharges to offset soaring gas prices. DoorDash won't pass the bill off to users.

The company is introducing a rewards program to help riders pay for gas.

The DoorDash logo displayed on a smartphone

DoorDash is offering a rewards program to help riders pay for gas.

Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images

As gas prices skyrocket, Uber and Lyft want riders to foot the bill. DoorDash doesn’t want customers — or drivers — to worry about it.

DoorDash is rolling out a “Gas Rewards Program” that gives U.S. delivery drivers a prepaid business Visa debit card, which offers 10% cash back on gas, the company said Wednesday. Drivers could receive anywhere from $1.65 to $2 back per gallon, and they can use the card even when they’re not working, according DoorDash.

“Over the last few weeks, prices at the pump have increased all across the world, and for Dashers who deliver by car, this economic reality presents unique and unprecedented challenges,” the company said in a statement.

Drivers who are on the road most will earn even more money. Those who accept and complete orders that add up to 100 miles will get $5 back, and that earning will increase if they complete more miles.

The program will begin on Thursday and remain in place through at least April. “We’ll continue to monitor gas prices, listen to the Dasher community, and seek feedback as we evolve these programs and explore additional resources in the coming weeks and months,” the company said.

Uber and Lyft are dealing with soaring gas prices by asking customers to pay more. The companies added temporary surcharges on each trip to help offset gas prices for drivers, and Uber is encouraging drivers to switch to electric vehicles. In addition to a temporary surcharge, Lyft announced on Wednesday that also it's offering drivers a card to receive cash back on gas.

A DoorDash spokesperson told CNBC that the company won’t ask customers to pay extra for gas.

“We know Dashers aren’t the only ones facing pain at the pump, and we’re not passing the cost of these programs on to consumers at this time,” the spokesperson said.

Some people don't think the surcharge for Uber and Lyft rides are enough. A petition circulating on coworker.org is calling for customers to pay more and for companies to take a smaller commission from fares. As of Wednesday, the petition garnered nearly 9,500 signatures. "Gas prices are hitting us hard!" the petition states.

Gas prices are continuing to skyrocket nationwide. The national average sits around $4.32. The average price in California, where DoorDash is headquartered, bumped again on Wednesday to $5.77 per gallon.

Update: This story was updated with information about Lyft's Gas Rewards Program.

Sarah Roach

Sarah (Sarahroach_) writes for Source Code at Protocol. She's based in Boston and can be reached at sroach@protocol.com

rewardsuberlyftgas pricesdoordash
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