It has been two years that the app-based cab service, Uber, started its operations in Guwahati to the great convenience of the citizens. Today however, many feel that the service has deteriorated over the past few months.
A regular cab user, Prabeen Thakuria said, “I have stopped booking Uber because of the pathetic service it provides these days.”
Thakuria explained that many a times when he books an Uber cab, the driver does not reach the pickup point on time. When contact with him is established on phone, the driver asks him to cancel the request often with the excuse of being stuck in traffic and so being unable to reach the pickup point. The cab driver himself never cancels the ride though.
When the passenger cancels the trip, an additional Rs 40 is charged the next time a passenger uses the Uber cab service.
Another passenger, Chandrika Das said, “In an Uber Pool (a cab sharing service), I hired a cab from Ulubari to Chandmari. My estimated fare was Rs 30 for one seat but later I was charged Rs 110.” She explained that the higher charge was made as the driver informed her that she was the only passenger in the taxi.
Another customer revealed that one driver had already started the trip before picking up the passenger. Later, the passenger was charged higher. In other cab services an OTP number is sent to the customer’s phone and the trip starts only after the OTP is provided to the driver. With Uber, trips can be started by the driver anytime they want and passengers have alleged that many drivers start the trip even before reaching the pickup point.
Many taxi users, talking to G Plus, expressed that app-based taxi services in Guwahati like Uber increase their fares mostly during emergencies. Whenever it rains or it is a holiday, the fares are drastically increased.
Even the offers provided by Uber are gimmicks, alleged a customer. When an offer of “50% off” is given, the actual fare is hiked and later a discount is given. Practically, the fare which a customer has to pay is the same as he would have to pay normally without the offer.
Moreover, Uber is the only app-based cab service in Guwahati which does not have any customer care service number. When a grievance has to be reported, it has to be done through the app and many customers have alleged that the grievance hardly ever gets addressed.
15K drivers protest against app-based cab services in Guwahati
Around 15,000 drivers working for app-based cab services in Guwahati have decided to conduct a massive stir against the app-based cab service providers in Guwahati.
The president of All Assam Cab Operators’ Association, Ismail Ali said, “On 7th, 8th and 9th of May, the drivers of the app-based cab services will protest against the app-based cab service providers.” Ola and Uber services will not be available in Guwahati on these three days, he informed.
According to him, Uber and Ola have cheated the drivers and it is becoming a difficult situation for them now.
According to him, around 8,000 taxis are plying in the city under Uber and 7,000 under Ola. He explained that when Uber came to Guwahati, huge incentives were offered to the drivers and accordingly many unemployed youths purchased vehicles and enrolled under Uber. The same happened for Ola as well.
There are youths who purchased their vehicle after having sold off their land, taking loans and so on. But now the companies like Ola and Uber have drastically reduced the incentives.
The president explained that Uber passengers are most affected because Ola drivers are still getting some incentives. Uber drivers cancel the trip when they see that their payment has been made online. In online payments the company is expected to transfer the money to the vehicle owners’ accounts within 4 days. But most of the time it does not happen, said Ali.
Also sometimes, the drivers do not receive any cash from the passengers despite working for a whole day and it becomes difficult for them to even buy their fuel.
Ali said that the association has written to Uber many times but has not got any solution from the company.
The drivers are irked at the app-based companies and such protests will continue till the issues are resolved.
When this story was first published, G Plus tried contacting Uber but no officials were available for any comment from the company.
G Plus Impact: UBER issues Statement after G Plus story:
“We regret the disruption caused to our rider and driver community in Guwahati by a small group of individuals who are resorting to violence and vandalism.
The Learned District Court has previously issued an injunction restraining unions, their leaders, members and their followers from preventing Uber driver partners from going about their work and authorising action against any person who attempts to block cars, confiscate devices or harass riders and drivers. We now seek the intervention of law enforcement authorities. We hope this will enable drivers to stay behind the wheel, without fear or harassment henceforth. We are committed to keeping Guwahati moving and ensuring a reliable experience for riders and drivers.”
~UBER Spokesperson to G Plus