“Uber has not made any indiscriminate reductions in fares. We make occasional increases and reductions in the different fare components whenever market conditions require it, frequently throughout the year,” said an official source from the ride-hailing company.

The Portuguese Association of Transporters in Unmarked Vehicles (APTAD) sent a letter to Uber Portugal expressing its “absolute indignation at the new unilateral reduction in fares” by the platform.

Uber found it strange that “APTAD has, once again, chosen to send an open letter to the media instead of addressing it” to the company itself, adding that it had not received “any letter” from the association “on this subject”.

“Each day of the week, time of day, and region of the country is different and reviewed independently, with the aim of maximizing drivers' income, ensuring a balance between supply and demand, an essential factor for the availability of trips and sustainable income,” the platform justified in a statement sent to Lusa.

The Uber source stressed that income through the platform “has been increasing” and, by 2025, “will allow drivers, couriers, operators and merchants to earn incomes exceeding one billion euros”.

“Increasing prices is not synonymous with increased income; the critical factor is the permanent balance between supply and demand and the growth of demand, which is currently above the growth of supply,” they clarified.

Furthermore, the platform guaranteed that “all information regarding current fares,” as well as “information related to each trip request (net value, pickup distance, trip distance, estimated time, pickup and delivery addresses), is always presented transparently to drivers,” so they can accept or reject each service, “without any penalty.”

Partners

Uber stated that it “regularly listens to drivers and TVDE operators [acronym for transport in unmarked vehicles via electronic platforms] to improve their experience, frequently meeting with various industry partners,” and that it is available to meet again with APTAD.

In a letter to which Lusa had access, the president of APTAD, Ivo Fernandes, said that the decision taken by Uber Portugal, “with the kilometre dropping to €0.52 and the minute remaining at the unacceptable €0.08,” is “irresponsible, unjustifiable, and reveals a total disregard for the drivers and operators who ensure the service daily.” Last week, Uber and the National Union of Industry and Energy (Sindel) signed a memorandum of understanding that defines a new work model through digital platforms, with protections adapted to the reality of these workers.

The memorandum also establishes that Uber will guarantee that no delivery driver or driver who chooses to be represented by Sindel “will receive income lower than the national minimum wage during the periods in which they are providing services through its platforms, regardless of the prices charged to consumers.”

Ivo Fernandes questions what sense it makes to lower “prices even further” after Uber's announcement less than a week ago, “guaranteeing that it would start paying according to the minimum wage.”

Therefore, he demands that the Government, clearly and urgently, act “immediately to change the law,” considering that “it is more than demonstrated that the current legislation gives full cover to these harmful practices and leaves drivers and operators without any protection.”

The National Association of TVDE Movement (ANM-TVDE) has also commented on the agreement, lamenting that Sindel, a union that "should serve and protect workers on digital platforms," ​​has chosen to act "as a commercial intermediary" for Uber.