The popularity of ride sharing services like Lyft and Uber created traffic turmoil on Saturday following the 75th annual running of the Iroquois Steeplechase.
Some drivers sat in traffic for close to two hours as they made attempts to pick up passengers who were leaving the popular horse race.
"I certainly think it could’ve been done better, but there’s not a great route to reroute folks out of there," said Carrie Deal who waited for almost an hour to get a ride home from Uber.
Deal was also shocked to see her $180 bill for her ride home from the race. The 25-year-old was charged a 4% surcharge by Uber due to high demand.
"There is a free market but $180 it is a little ludicrous considering the ride there was $20," she added.
Organizers of Steeplechase partnered with Uber to help get attendees home safely from the race, where drinking is prevalent throughout the day.
"We know we’ve got some things we have to work out but until we try it we don’t know what the challenges are until we get into it," said Libby Cheek, the executive director of Steeplechase.
"If we find something that needs improving we’ll do everything we can do improve it," she added.
As far as surge pricing, Uber said that is their standard practice - for pricing to be multiplied during times of high demand.
