In a recent incident in Bengaluru, a college student, Anurag Kumar Singh, charged Rs 5000 for an Ola ride that initially showed a fare of Rs 730. The incident underscores the need for vigilance and swift responses from ride-hailing companies in addressing fare discrepancies.
Upon arriving at Kempegowda airport from Kolkata, Singh booked a ‘mini’ taxi on the Ola app and boarded the first cab in the taxi bay lineup. Despite the app displaying a fare of Rs 730, the driver demanded Rs 5,000 upon reaching Singh’s destination in the Mathikere area. Surprised by the excessive amount, Singh shared his experience with the Times of India (TOI), stating that even an extensive city tour wouldn’t warrant such high charges.
The driver showed Singh his phone screen with Rs 5,194, claiming the ride was cancelled. Singh, who routinely took screenshots after booking rides, discovered the trip was indeed cancelled, and he wasn’t officially on the ride. Faced with a language barrier, as he did not know Kannada, Singh sought assistance from neighbours who negotiated with the driver. Eventually, the driver agreed to settle for Rs 1,600, twice the initially quoted fare. Singh noted the lack of response from Ola to his complaints through the app and social media.
This incident highlights passengers’ challenges in handling unexpected fare discrepancies and emphasizes the importance of timely responses from ride-hailing companies. Ola has not yet responded to the reported incident.
Passengers are advised to stay vigilant, capture screenshots of ride details, and report any discrepancies promptly to the respective customer support teams. In an industry heavily reliant on technology for ride facilitation, maintaining transparency and effective grievance redressal mechanisms is crucial for building and preserving trust. For more information, stay tuned to the IncBasil Website.
