Rideshare companies are set to pass the burden of increasing fuel costs onto passengers, as they adjust fares to offer temporary financial relief to their drivers.

In response to escalating fuel concerns linked to the Middle East turmoil, major players like Uber and DiDi have decided to implement additional charges within Australia.

Meanwhile, DoorDash, a prominent food delivery service, has announced measures to support its drivers, ensuring they receive prompt aid during this challenging time.

Starting Monday, DoorDash will offer financial assistance to drivers who log 100 kilometers or more in weekly deliveries, with a focus on aiding those in rural and suburban regions where longer travel distances are common.

“Escalating fuel prices significantly affect Australians, especially those delivering goods throughout our communities,” stated Simon Rossi, DoorDash’s vice president, in a statement to AAP.

“Our goal is to support our Dashers and provide them with immediate relief at the fuel pump during this period of increased prices,” he added.

“It will help them keep delivering and earning, while saving families and individuals time.”

The program will continue until 30 April.

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine welcomed the move, saying delivery workers had been hit incredibly hard by rising fuel prices.

Concern about fuel supplies has been mounting after six oil shipments to Australia were cancelled or postponed due to the war.

Iran’s decision to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz — a key global trade route — in response to US and Israeli strikes has sent global oil prices skyrocketing.

Domestic petrol and diesel prices have soared, but the government has repeatedly said shortages in some regional and rural areas were caused by panic-buying rather than supply issues.

Uber surchage will not be temporary

Rideshare app Uber will increase prices from next week, and the surcharge will not be temporary.

An Uber spokesperson told AAP it regularly reviewed fares to ensure it struck the right balance between drivers’ earnings and affordable rides.

“From next week, we will be updating Uber fares which will increase driver earnings by an average of six per cent across Australia,” the spokesperson said.

“These changes build on work already under way and reflect our ongoing commitment to better supporting driver earnings over time.”

Rival DiDi has added a five-cent-per-kilometre surcharge to help cover fuel costs for drivers.

“To help offset these increasing operating costs, DiDi will increase the temporary fuel surcharge applied to every DiDi trip nationwide,” head of external affairs Dan Jordan said.

“This adjustment is designed to provide additional support to drivers while fuel prices remain elevated.”

Jordan told AAP the rideshare provider would continue to review its pricing structure and service fees.

DiDi and Uber have existing partnership programs for their drivers.

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