Ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber have revolutionized urban transportation, offering convenience and accessibility to millions. However, the rise of these services has also been marred by reports of passenger safety concerns.
Numerous users have shared unsettling accounts of their experiences, ranging from unprofessional driver behavior to technical failures, leaving a dark cloud over the trust in such platforms.
In a recent incident, a Delhi-based woman took to social media to narrate her harrowing ordeal during an Ola cab ride in Gurugram, Haryana. Her story not only highlighted the critical lapses in safety but also raised serious questions about the accountability of ride-hailing companies.
The woman described the Ola cab ride as a “terrifying” experience that left her deeply shaken. She recounted that the situation took a distressing turn when two additional men approached the vehicle, making it five individuals in total, including the driver. According to her, the driver mentioned a “pending loan installment,” an ambiguous statement that heightened her anxiety. Feeling increasingly unsafe, she made the decision to escape.
“Feeling unsafe, I opened the right-side door and ran for my life. It was an extremely traumatic experience, and I cannot emphasize enough how terrified I felt,” the woman wrote in her post.
Adding to her anguish was the failure of the SOS button on the Ola app, a feature designed specifically for emergencies. The woman expressed her shock and disappointment at its ineffectiveness during a critical moment.
In the aftermath of the incident, the woman lodged a complaint with Ola’s customer service, seeking action and accountability. However, more than 24 hours had passed without a response, leaving her feeling neglected by the company. In her post, she urged Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal to address the issue, emphasizing the importance of passenger safety.
“I raised a complaint with Ola, but it has now been over 24 hours, and I have not received any response. This lack of accountability and urgency from Ola’s team is both shocking and deeply disappointing. Passenger safety is not just a feature—it’s a fundamental responsibility,” she wrote.