It is not the drivers that "gouge", it is Uber. Also, I wouldn't even call what they do gouging. During periods of high demand, they raise prices that most o the time is still cheaper than an actual cab. Before I found out about Uber, I had to pay a cab $22 to take me 3 miles to pick up my car in the parking lot. Then I found out Uber would take me from the airport all the way home for $12.