[mathattack]

I agree. This is just a way to encourage supply in a busy period by asking for an early commitment. Drivers get paid more for committing to work, and people get lower fares because of less need for peak surcharges. This is the market working. Nobody is forced to accept it.

[hamilyon2]

How do you know people will not pay peak surcharges? This is pure conjecture.

[mseebach]

If Uber is successful in getting drivers on the road in anticipation of high demand in a given area at a given time, they will not need to activate the surge charge.

[GrantSolar]

They may not need to, but that doesn't rule out it happening

[alex_hitchins]

So the driver ends up paying the peak surcharges? That's what it looks like to me.

[mathattack]

No. The driver gets paid more (33%) as a result of the commitment. There is less peak surcharge.