What Happens When Your Ride‑Hailer Decides to Take a Nap
Late‑night commuting used to be a straightforward affair: book an Uber, sit back, and let the driver take you home. Not for Surya Oruganti, a Bangalore airport returner on September 9th, who had to flip the entire situation on its head.
A Drunken Downtime
- Surya booked his standard cabs away from the airport, but the driver was already dozing off during the 2 a.m. shift.
- He pulled over safely, slid the driver onto the passenger seat, and got behind the wheel himself.
- Surya snapped a quick photo of himself in command, with the driver dormant in the back seat—an instant snapshot of the chaos that would ripple across social media.
Getting the Word Out
- He tweeted about the incident and the uncanny resemblance between the driver and the Uber profile listed in the app.
- Surya urged the company to “fix this” and called the situation a “very serious safety issue.”
- In less than a day, a spokesperson from Uber India apologized for the regrettable event, removed the driver from their database, and promised a review of their vetting process.
- Despite Uber’s reassurance, the platform’s guidance remains that passengers should cancel rides and report suspicious drivers, not take matters into their own hands.
When the Rumors Spread
Other riders chimed in on Twitter, sharing stories of tipped, turning, or apparently intoxicated drivers. Their collective voice added fuel to the call for tighter regulations.
Why This Matters
Passenger safety has been in the spotlight lately, especially after disturbing incidents in China where two women were murdered by Didi drivers. These cases spurred Chinese authorities to conduct an exhaustive review of the ride‑hailing sector, a move that might echo in India and beyond.
So next time you tap that app for a midnight lift, keep an eye out for that driver’s profile, and remember that while cars can carry you home, only companies with robust safety protocols should get you there.
