A Consumer Reports investigation published June 16, 2026, alleges Uber and Lyft use AI algorithms to charge different prices for identical rides.
The study found a 50% median price difference between the highest and lowest price groups for the same route. Researchers also discovered that 11% of offered discounts appeared to be based on inflated original prices.
The report suggests factors beyond supply and demand influence fares, raising questions about pricing transparency. Both companies dispute the investigation's methodology and findings.
Uber called the study fundamentally flawed and denied personalizing prices for individuals. The company attributes price variations to real-time marketplace dynamics such as driver location and traffic. Lyft suggested the study's method of simultaneous route checks may have artificially inflated demand and prices.