After the Uber taxi service announced a 30% drop in its rates on Wednesday 27 April 2016, the number of people downloading the application for rides in the Dominican Republic rose by 43%. Uber reported a 27% increase in rides and a 29% increase in new users. Although the customers were satisfied, the drivers who had signed on to provide the Uber service were not. They believe that the reduction cuts into their profits and means it is not worth their while. Now many have gone on strike.
The Uber service has been available in Santo Domingo since October 2015. The price per kilometer, after the first 20 km, has an additional cost of RD$18. The aim is to encourage more out-of-city rides. Diario Libre reports that this means that fares for intra-city rides have dropped from RD$220 to RD$145 (from Winston Churchill Avenue to the Colonial City). Diario Libre reports that approximately 6,000 taxi drivers are affiliated to Uber and between 2,000 and 3,000 are now withholding the service in protest at the 30% reduction in fares. One taxi driver said that Uber retains 25% of their takings, so they would be paid RD$75 for a 6-7 km ride, which they consider too little.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/ciudad/uber-baja-un-30-su-tarifa-en-santo-domingo-pero-hay-problemas-con-la-suscripcion-KG3495682
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/ciudad/huelga-en-uber-de-republica-dominicana-miles-de-taxistas-se-desconectan-de-la-aplicacion-XY3504707
