I'd rather chance it and pay $1/mile since I'm usually flexible when I use Uber/Lyft and can avoid surge pricing (leave a bit later.) The whole point of surge pricing is to match supply with demand. Raising fares all of the time would reduce demand during off-peak hours which would reduce the profits of these companies and their drivers (you'd have the same or more drivers competing for fewer customers.) The only reason taxis can get away with higher prices is that they have essentially regulated oligopolies.