[gergles]

Surge multiplier is currently 1.8x in midtown Manhattan. I can see cabs available with no problem (even if I just switch to uberT, it shows about 10 cabs in the area, which don't 'surge'.)

On a related note, whenever I see the surge pricing, I just see a failure of Uber to recruit enough drivers to meet demand. I don't view it as the dynamic pricing libertarian wonderland that Uber does. I also see the surge in effect almost every time I open Uber, so I pretty much never do unless I'm in a dysfunctional city (cough SF cough) and there's not another choice.

I think that in the long run, their continued insistence to not clear the market and to instead be able to show lots of empty cars driving around trolling for 3x+ fares through surge pricing is going to make public opinion quite negative among the general public.