Columbia’s Len Sherman used about 50,000 trips from three long time drivers in Dallas, Miami and Tampa. His take rate crossed 50 percent this year in those markets. A decade ago it was 15 to 20 percent.
Consumer Reports in June tested routes in 18 states. It put Uber and Lyft at 43 to 49.5 percent of the rider bill. Princeton’s Workers Algorithm Observatory, using Oregon data for CR, got Uber at 44 percent and Lyft at 52.
Uber says that math is wrong. In its response it puts U.S. take around 20 percent after insurance. It says insurance can eat 14 to 31 percent of a fare depending on the state. California was 31 percent in late 2025.
Upfront pricing from 2022 is the break. Rider price and driver pay are no longer the same formula. Drivers get an offer. You get a different number. The spread is Uber’s room.
CR also found fake looking discounts and huge price gaps for the same trip booked minutes apart. Median spread about 42 percent. One Kansas City route had 29 different prices.
Uber’s old driver terms even allowed a service fee up to 49 percent on some products. That is the ceiling in writing, not the average.
This is not Nigeria. A report out today says Uber was paying Nigerian drivers more than riders paid on short trips before it left that market. U.S. math runs the other way.
After gas and car costs, the driver often keeps well under half of what you tapped pay.
This is wild
Investigation into Uber reveals they are taking over 50% of the cost of a trip when you book
One ride in New York cost $70, the driver only for $25. Uber takes the rest
“A 2025 study of 258 drivers found that upfront pricing enabled Uber to increase its median cut… pic.twitter.com/jviurFqgDu
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) September 13, 2026
Uber paid Nigerian drivers more than riders on short trips before exiting. Opposite of the U.S. fight.
https://www.semafor.com/article/09/14/2026/uber-paid-drivers-more-than-it-charged-passengers-in-nigeria-report
Company says U.S. take is about 20 percent after insurance. Calls CR method flawed.
https://www.uber.com/us/en/newsroom/uber-comment-consumer-reports/
Uber blames insurance. Sherman and Oxford say take still rose.
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/uber-says-insurance-costs-are-why-your-ride-costs-more–the-data-says-otherwise-581511.aspx