When you book a ride with a company like Uber, you expect a clean, comfortable journey. But for Rohit Arora, an Uber user in India, the experience turned out to be anything but pleasant.
His disappointment over an unhygienic cab led him to air his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), where he shared a photo of the shabby vehicle, comparing it to a “junkyard.”
Arora’s tweet, which quickly gained traction, criticized Uber India for its lack of quality control. He tagged both Uber India and Uber Support, stating:
“Uber has no standard in India. It looks like the car came from junkyard.”
Clarifying his stance in follow-up posts, Arora explained he wasn’t demanding luxury but rather expecting basic hygiene in the vehicles. Despite owning a car, he often relies on Uber’s Priority or Premiere rides for business purposes or during emergencies. His experience, however, left him questioning Uber’s vehicle inspection practices.
“I get Uber because I have a business account and I do book Premiere mostly. Sometimes I have to book Uber Priority because of urgency (That’s where I got this car),” he said.
Comparing his experience in India with Uber rides abroad, Arora pointed out a stark contrast in standards. He stressed that maintaining cleanliness isn’t costly—it’s about consistent effort.
“Yes, it is the issue with India, but it is also Uber’s responsibility to inspect the vehicles and check what they are allowing. It is pretty common around the world except India,” he added.
Uber’s Response
Acknowledging the issue, Uber India responded promptly, assuring Arora that the situation was concerning and unacceptable. In their reply, they stated:
“This is concerning. Such behavior is unacceptable, and we prioritize your safety above all else. Kindly send your registered Uber account contact details and trip details via Direct Message. Our safety team will contact you shortly.”
Arora’s experience sheds light on the broader issue of ride-hailing quality in India. While Uber’s swift response is commendable, it raises questions about the company’s oversight and the need for stricter vehicle inspections to ensure a consistent standard for all passengers.
As ride-hailing giants expand globally, maintaining trust through basic standards like cleanliness could prove to be the key to customer satisfaction, no matter the country.