Uber introduces price hikes and slashes discount services

The ride-hailing firm introduce standardised fares and in-app direct messaging between drivers and customers

Uber will no longer pick up customers from Heathrow via its UberPool service (Getty)

Uber has introduced a raft of changes across the UK that will make some trips more expensive.

In an email circulated to its drivers in the UK, Uber said that it had introduced standardised fares across greater London, bringing them in line with central London pricing.

Discounts for its UberPool service— a cheaper alternative to private car hire for customers willing to share their rides— will be reduced at quiet times and shared rides from Heathrow Airport will be stopped.

The changes are likely to amount to increased prices during off-peak times when rides are less likely to be shared.

Uber’s raft of new measures also includes a new feature on its app that will allow direct contact between customers and drivers in order to locate each other more easily.

Drivers will also be notified about the potential length of a trip prior to confirming a trip.

"Drivers tell us they love being their own boss, but have also told us how we can make the experience of driving with Uber even better”, said Uber’s UK manager Tom Elvidge.

“This latest set of improvements follows the changes we've already introduced this year”.

In August, Uber rolled out in-app tipping, which it says has generated more than £500,000 for UK drivers since its launch, and reduced the amount of time in which customers can calen a trip without being charged from five to two minutes.