Jan 26, 2015 05:01 PM EST
Superstorm Juno: Uber to Limit Price Hikes During Massive Snowstorm

Uber is using Superstorm Juno to show that it has learned from its past mistakes.

The ride sharing app that lets people send for cars by using their smartphones has said it will limit price surges during the big storm in accordance with an agreement with New York's attorney general.

Uber, who has earned a reputation to jack up prices at times of high demand like during Hurricane Sandy, said it won't charge no more than 2.8 times the usual fare for trips during the storm, which started on Monday.

"Due to the State of Emergency declared in New York City, prices will not exceed 2.8x the normal fare," Uber said in an email statement to users of its app.

The U.S. Northeast has spent most of Monday preparing for a massive blizzard that could drop as much as three feet of snow on tens of millions of people who have been told to stay in their homes.

The company said all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts from the storm, according to Reuters.

"Dynamic pricing will be capped and all Uber proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts," the San Francisco-based company said Monday in an e-mailed statement.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio commented about during price gouging during his press conference on Monday.

"Price gouging in the context of an emergency is illegal," de Blasio said, who encouraging users to report the practice to the Taxi & Limousine Commission, according to Bloomberg.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency in New York, as subways will be limited after 7 p.m. and MetroNorth and Long Island Rail Road might close at 11 p.m. Thousands of flights have already been canceled as well.

Cuomo said on Twitter the state is considering a travel ban at 11 p.m. on all main roads.

Rival ap Lyft confirmed Monday that its service pricing during periods of high demand is still set at 200 percent of normal rates, "as always."

"Demand may not even push prices that high, but the cap is there so rides during busy periods remain affordable," Lyft said in an e-mail to users and drivers on Monday.

AutoWorldNews urges anyone on the East Coast dealing with the storm to stay safe!

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