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‘Decline and recline’: Uber and Lyft drivers are rethinking what trips to accept to navigate soaring gas prices

by with No Comment Xpandfy

War in the Middle East is fuelling a surge in US gas prices — and drivers for services like Uber and Lyft are among the first to feel the pain.

Several ride-hailing drivers told Business Insider they’re prioritizing the most profitable trips offered by the Uber and Lyft apps to protect their earnings from rising gas prices, while dozens bemoaned the “insane” price spike on Reddit.

Oil prices blew past the $100-a-barrel mark on Monday, before falling back to around $90 after President Donald Trump suggested the war with Iran could soon come to a close.

The impact is already being felt at the pumps. The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the US has jumped by about $0.40 over the past week, according to AAA data.

Justin Fisher, who works as a ride-hailing driver for Uber in Houston, told Business Insider that he has changed which rides he accepts on the app in response to gas prices. He now focuses on taking the most profitable rides, even if they involve going to areas that he doesn’t believe are safe.

“The cost of gas is an unpleasant reality,” Fisher said.

Sergio Avedian, a former Wall Street trader who now drives for Uber and Lyft in Southern California, told Business Insider that the price of a gallon of gas at his two local gas stations in suburban Los Angeles had increased by $1 over the past week.

“It’s been extremely noticeable,” Avedian said.

Avedian said he expected Uber and Lyft drivers to adapt by accepting fewer short city trips, which often consume more gas due to frequent stopping and starting in traffic, and instead target longer trips and freeway rides that offer superior gas mileage.

The primary issue for drivers, he said, is that Uber and Lyft control fare prices, meaning drivers can’t raise their prices when their operating costs soar.

“We do not call the shots. The fares are not going up, and Uber and Lyft are not paying us more to make up this difference, which is immense,” Avedian said.

Uber and Lyft did not respond to inquiries about whether they are considering introducing a surcharge, as they did in 2022 after oil prices spiked following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

EV drivers take a victory lap

One group of drivers appears to be reaping the benefits of the gas price volatility. Jaret, an Uber and Lyft driver in North Carolina, told Business Insider that the past weekend was one of the best he had had on Lyft.

The Tesla driver said owning an EV meant he didn’t have to worry about gas price increases.

“I don’t pay attention, because I haven’t been in a gas station in forever,” he said.

Jaret estimated that charging his Tesla Model Y at home means $1 out of every $14 he earns goes toward refuelling, compared to $1 in every $3 with a gas-powered car.

“I love having an EV,” he said. “I’m not happy that gas prices are going up, but I’m happy that it’s not affecting me.”

Temporary surcharge?

Uber and Lyft both introduced a temporary surcharge of $0.45 to $0.55 per ride to help cover the soaring cost of gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Avedian and Jaret both said that doing the same again would help, but that it would only be a partial fix amid ballooning gas prices and shrinking payouts from rides.

“It isn’t really solving the problem,” said Jaret. “It’s a Band-Aid; it’s treating a symptom more than you’re treating a cause. But will it help? Of course.”

Avedian said he would advise rideshare drivers to take extra care when deciding which trips are profitable, and to decline those that aren’t.

“If a trip that is offered to you as a driver is not profitable, I tell them to ‘decline and recline.’ You have to decline bad offers, because this is not a public service,” he said.

Do you work for Uber, Lyft, or another ride-hailing service? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here’s our guide to sharing information securely.




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I’m polyamorous and my 2 partners and I live with our kids. Here’s how we navigate coparenting together.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

“What’s the relationship between you guys?”

“Are you two brothers?”

“Is that your ex?”

These are just a few of the questions my family might get whenever someone tries to figure out exactly what’s going on in our household.

For the past three years, I’ve had two romantic partners simultaneously. During that time, we’ve navigated toddlerhood, pregnancy, and now life with two kids — all under one roof.

People are often nervous to ask questions when they first hear about our situation. But I always say I’ll answer anything asked with genuine curiosity. I know our life isn’t typical, and most people have never met a woman with two male partners outside the pages of a spicy romance novel, but it works best for our family.

I went from a traditional relationship to a polyamorous household

I first met Nick in college in 2018, and we have been together ever since. The two of us have moved across the country (and back), gone through a miscarriage, job loss, and in 2021, we welcomed our first daughter.

But by late 2022, something felt off for me. I loved our life together, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

With my therapist’s guidance, I started exploring the idea of an open relationship. It took me months to bring the topic up to Nick because I didn’t want him to think I was unhappy or that he wasn’t enough for me. To his credit, he met the idea with compassion and curiosity.

In April of 2023, I met Christian through a dating app. Right away, it became clear that he was someone I wanted in my life and as part of my family. His openness, which I had struggled to find elsewhere, felt natural and easy, even though this experience was a first for him as well.

Integrating a third partner, especially with a child, took time and effort. There were lots of conversations and logistical adjustments that we had to navigate together. There were awkward discussions and emotional growing pains. How do we tell our families about this? How do we explain this to our then 2-year-old? How do we mitigate jealousy? Where are we all going to sleep?

Then came the baby conversation again.


The author poses with her family.

The author says that though their situation may be unique to some, it works well for their family.

Courtesy of Victoria DeVita.



Parenting as a team of three

Even before Christian moved in, the decision to have a second baby was a big one for all of us. Nick and I wanted another child, but we also wanted to include Christian in the conversation. We talked through fears, hopes, and what this new chapter would mean for our family. It was a moment that underscored the importance of being honest, intentional, and aligned as a unit.

When Christian moved in a few months later, it required more adjustments. We moved into a three-bedroom apartment that could accommodate everyone, including my growing baby bump. We had to establish new routines, the aforementioned sleeping arrangements, and figure out how to integrate everyone into daily life.

When Christian came into our lives, our first child was only 2, so there wasn’t too much we needed to explain to her. Now that she’s 4, we’ve had more conversations about how Christian is her parent, just like mom and dad. She mostly calls him Christian or Tin Tin, but also acknowledges that he is her dad as well.

This last year has shown us that parenting together is our main focus and our strength. Details that used to send me into a logistical spiral now flow smoothly. Christian handles the morning routine for our now 4-year-old, while Nick takes charge at bedtime. We all share responsibility for the baby during the day, stepping in wherever needed. School drop-off and pickup vary depending on the day, and we coordinate those days carefully so nothing falls through the cracks.

We make a point to present a united front. If one parent says no, the others honor that decision (although our daughter has definitely taken advantage of the moments when we haven’t compared notes yet). We all attend as many events as possible, including doctors’ appointments, parent-teacher conferences, and birthday parties. Sometimes we rotate, sometimes we all go, but the message is clear: every parent is committed and present.

This teamwork makes life smoother and enables us to support one another emotionally. When one of us is exhausted, the others step in without hesitation. I believe the kids benefit from multiple perspectives, consistent attention, and a household where collaboration is consistently modeled.

Our life works well for us

People often assume polyamory is about romance or novelty, but for us, it has become about parenting, teamwork, and intentional communication. Our children are loved, supported, and surrounded by adults who show up for them and for each other.

Our oldest daughter does not question why she has three parents. To her, this is normal. When she draws family portraits, all three of us are always included, hand in hand.

For me, that is what family looks like. Not defined by tradition, but by love, presence, and shared responsibility.




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