Bengaluru: Auto driver tags cops; laments booking cancellations by passengers

A Bengaluru auto driver has lodged a complaint with the Bangalore police against a woman passenger, alleging that she booked rides simultaneously with two ride-hailing apps, Ola and Rapido, for the same journey. The driver claims that after he arrived to pick her up, she denied making the booking and allegedly used offensive language towards him. He tagged the Bengaluru police in a social media post to bring attention to the issue.

Also Read: Bengaluru auto driver slaps woman after ride cancellation, sparks outrage online

The driver explained that many passengers engage in double-booking, opting to take the vehicle that arrives first. Such practices, he noted, result in significant losses for drivers who often travel long distances to pick up a passenger, only to face abrupt cancellations.

A lady books two autos when both arrived and waited for a while she cancelled one auto.

When driver confronted her asked why she did like this as it causes difficulty for auto drivers then she hurled abuses at him. @BlrCityPolicepic.twitter.com/kO5b1O9Q7j

— 👑Che_ಕೃಷ್ಣ🇮🇳💛❤️ (@ChekrishnaCk) November 15, 2024

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between ride-hailing app users and drivers, exacerbated by booking and cancellation practices. Frustrations on both sides have occasionally boiled over into confrontations. Notably, a few months ago, another auto driver was arrested for slapping a woman after she refused to take his auto following a booking.

The friction between drivers and passengers underscores broader challenges within ride-hailing services, as drivers lament the economic impact of frequent cancellations, while passengers cite convenience and competition as influencing their choices. Authorities are yet to respond to the recent complaint.