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It would not be abhorrent if it were the only source of income for Uber, which would basically be earning the bid-ask spread.

Adding fees on top of that, though...

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Except they also penalize drivers for not accepting many rides. So if you want to continue driving for Uber, you have to "sell" your driving services at some point, even if the price isn't good for you.

Indeed, and that's an extension of "if it were the only source of income for Uber". If Uber proposed too high a spread, it's Uber that should be penalized.

IOW it's not the spread mechanism that's wrong, it's everything on top of it.

As well they should, otherwise it'd be impossible to get ubers from certain places or at certain times.

Then Uber should pay drivers more in certain places at certain times.

What is it, free market only works for Uber but not for the drivers?

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