Why are you both unaware that the rate itself was in fact lowered. Straight from the article:

> In 2012, Uber Black cost riders $4.90 per mile or $1.25 per minute in San Francisco, according to an old version of Uber's website. Today, Uber charges $3.75 per mile and $0.65 per minute.

Nip arguments in the bud, not at the leaf.