Parklife revellers have slammed Uber after claims the company charged FOUR TIMES the normal journey price to travel home from the festival.

Dozens of people have complained to the taxi firm over unusually high rates for short journeys following the festival on Saturday night.

One young woman says she was charged around £5 a mile for a journey home to Runcorn from the festival site at Heaton Park.

Rachel Behn, 22, and her friend Charlotte Nuttall were charged £160 for the journey.

Read more: Parklife 2016: Thousands brave downpours and mud to enjoy two days of music at Heaton Park festival

A spokesman for Uber said that riders are notified if ‘surge pricing’ is in effect and can estimate their fare before booking.

But on Sunday afternoon Rachel vented her anger on Twitter: “When you get an uber home from parklife thinking it was the cheaper option and get charged ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY POUNDS!!!!!!! Scandalous.”

Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender
Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender

Rachel told the M.E.N that a similar journey from Victoria Warehouse to Runcorn had previously cost her £40.

Rachel said: “I was in shock when we found out we had been charged £160. We would have got a black cab or paid for a hotel if we’d known if would be that much.

“Uber didn’t say anything about why we were charged extra. The app only said other charges may apply because it was busy. It doesn’t say how much it will be until you’ve done the journey. It cost more than the ticket for the festival. We paid £85 for a VIP Saturday ticket.

“There is not a chance I’m paying it. The whole point is Uber is supposed to offer a better rate.”

Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender
Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender

Several disgruntled customers have taken to Twitter to complain about the extra charges.

Alison Poole tweeted: “@Uber disgusting that 2 girls 18 & 17 at parklife Manchester charged £75 by your driver for 17 min journey. #ripoff #pleaserespond”

While @truered786 commented: “The great #uber rip off at #parklife #Manchester. @ManCityCouncil is this a fair deal for the public? #ubered”

And @sophiesscran tweeted: “@Uber “surcharges” are an effing joke. How the hell can they justify this for a £5, 7 minute journey?!”

Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender
Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender

Official Parklife partner Uber signed a deal with festival bosses to give new users a first free ride up to the value of £15 by using a special code.

The deal was thought to be a move to combat unlicensed taxi drivers and private firms charging fares that are higher than normal due to the demand of the 65,000 people expected at the festival each day.

A spokesman for Uber said the company uses a ‘dynamic pricing’ system to ensure people can always book a car when they need it.

Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender
Uber customers have complained about increased charges during the Parklife weekender

They said: “The fare increases only in response to real-time demand when there are not enough available cars in the area. Because all of our Manchester licensed drivers work independently, higher fares incentivise more drivers to go online and work in the area providing more cars for users of the app.

“This weekend we saw exceptionally high demand with more than 70,000 people attending Parklife festival but we make pricing very clear to riders. Riders are notified if ‘surge pricing’ is in effect and can estimate the fare before booking.

If riders do not want to pay an increased fare, they can click a button to receive a notification if the price drops in the next 30 minutes. If they choose to proceed with the booking, they will be asked to confirm the price multiplier before they book.”

The M.E.N has contacted Parklife for a comment.