Safety concerns, overcharging clients, cancelled trips, and poor-quality cars are among complaints being brought against Uber in South Africa, BusinessTech reports.
It says that Uber, launched in South Africa in 2013, came to be used by many as their primary mode of transportation.
In 2014 UberX was launched, offering rides in Toyota Corollas and similar-class vehicles, without compromising service.
Vetting cars and drivers was core to ensuring comfortable and safe rides.
However, BusinessTech reports that in recent years, service levels and safety levels have collapsed.
Complaints include:
- vehicles dilapidated and unroadworthy
- air conditioning not being used to avoid extra fuel costs
- driving on empty tanks
- not following the road rules
- accepting trips but not arriving, or taking so long to arrive that the client is forced to cancel the trip. Customers are then punished with cancellation penalties
- Attacking and robbing passengers
- Over-billing without explanation (normal practice, say drivers) or taking longer routes to a destination.
Uber drivers also indulge in a scam with airport queuing systems, according to MyBroadband. Drivers’ phones are left in a room at an e-hailing waiting area overnight. A designated person accepts the bookings to ensure they remained in the queues, despite not attending to the rider’s requests.
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