Passenger Etiquette – Cab Aggregator Guidelines You Must Respect

February 1, 2019

Guidelines for Cab passengers — Image used for representation only.

Did you know that a cab aggregator like Uber can ban you from using their service if you misbehave or intentionally cause damage?

Their new guidelines have a list of do’s and dont’s for both drivers are riders alike, which seem fair and just, however, not everyone thinks so…

The very first guideline of Uber was issued in March 2017 and mentions certain actions that could ban the riders from accessing Uber. That included spilling food, vomiting due to alcohol and sexual conduct.

Guidelines also state that asking overly personal questions, personal threats and making comments or gestures that are aggressive sexual discriminatory, or disrespectful will not be allowed. Illegal activities too were banned. The guidelines make no mention of what to do in the event of an accident, although those injured in a ridesharing vehicle may wish to seek out someone like an Uber accident lawyer to help them out with a potential claim.

Also, The updated guidelines on the uber app will see riders who fall below a minimum average rating lose access to the app.

As per the new updated guidelines, The driver and the rider should respect each other. “Treat your fellow riders and drivers as you would like to be treated yourself: with respect. It’s common courtesy not to shout, swear or slam the car door. And by tidying up after yourself—whether it’s taking your trash home or cleaning up a spilt drink—you’ll keep the car in good condition and ensure the next person has a pleasant ride too.”

The guidelines further state that Children must be supervised. Only adults can have an Uber rider account. If your child is using your account, a parent or guardian must be with them at all times.

If your average rating is below the city minimum after multiple notifications, your Uber account may be deactivated. As a rider, if your Uber account is deactivated or suspended you will not be able to access either the Uber app or the Uber Eats app.

With Pune’s public transport so unreliable, several citizens rely on taxi aggregators to commute on a daily basis. We spoke to some of the regulars and asked if they were aware of the guidelines for passengers issued by the aggregators.

I regularly travel by Uber as city transport is pathetic, says Achal Mistry, a Theatre artist.

However, I wasn’t aware of the guidelines issued to the riders, because as a customer I always use to think that it is a driver who needs to be rated and not me as a customer.

After going through their guidelines, I feel some of them are too foolish, nobody will intentionally spill food or water in the cab. It may happen due to a sudden brake applied or the speed of the car.

As a consumer, I wouldn’t like to clean the car which happened due to someone else’s mistake. And if they have so much of issues with people eating or drinking while travelling they shouldn’t introduce apps such as uber eats, Mistry added.

Rameshwar Mane, a driver says, The guidelines are totally fair for everyone. Earlier there was a list of dos and don’ts only followed by drivers.

It often happens that the rider opts for a pool which is economical but the only drawback is that you get a pickup right in the middle of dropping the previous customer. And most often the customer keeps arguing and threaten us about complaining. Now, with the updated guidelines, we have an option to report too which is fair for both.

Mane also says, “Sometimes the riders even keep their food waste in the car and we only notice it when the next customer who boards the cab tell us.

It makes it very inconvenient for the next customer and embarrassing to us, but then since it is our cab, we clean it. More than guidelines, people boarding the cabs are educated and they should understand their own responsibility and act sensibly.”

Very often, commuters get friendly and ask about our profits and the margin which many a time a driver is not comfortable to share, He added.

#All views reflected in this article are those of the respondents and Pune365 does not necessarily subscribe to them.