Patriots: 'Tone deaf' Uber Sydney raises rates due to hostage crisis #SydneySiege; Update: Uber says rides now free

Greg P. | 10:05 PM on December 14, 2014

The ride-sharing company Uber, in response to the ongoing hostage situation in Sydney, Australia has just raised its rates. For real:

We are all concerned with events in CBD. Fares have increased to encourage more drivers to come online & pick up passengers in the area.

— Now Uber_Australia (@Uber_Sydney) December 15, 2014

Wow. And Uber’s move is not going over well at all:

@uber_sydney What a shameful disgrace.

— Tyson Armstrong (@tysonarmstrong) December 15, 2014

https://twitter.com/lsrask/status/544320361324498944

https://twitter.com/MonocleMoose/status/544320466253385728

@Uber_Sydney You realise some people are going to slam you for the fare increase?! #MartinPlaceSiege

— Arnaud Michelin (@ArnoMichelin) December 15, 2014

Actually, it’s not clear that they know that.

@Uber_Sydney Seriously? How much more of an awful company could you be?

— Narelle (@Narelle_NZ) December 15, 2014

@Uber_Sydney Fares have increased to $100 minimum fare. How do you justify that? Way to ensure public won't see you as viable option to cabs

— ?Irma Gherd (Retired Nurse Thug) (@maureenchuck1) December 15, 2014

.@Uber_Sydney I will never use you service, you evil Goddamn corporation.

— DDNet: We cover Japan ?? (@DigitallyDownld) December 15, 2014

https://twitter.com/dansolomon/status/544322645454376960

.@Uber_Sydney how much extra profit will the company make from each of those fares? I'm guessing not all that increase goes to drivers

— Joanna Holman (@joannamuses) December 15, 2014