A Bengaluru-based social media influencer has recounted a terrifying encounter with an Uber auto-rickshaw driver, alleging he refused to take her to her destination and attempted to hit her, an incident that has triggered a fresh wave of concern over passenger safety.
According to a report by NDTV, the woman, Aimee, detailed the experience in a video posted to her Instagram account. She stated that the driver became aggressive when she asked to be dropped at the designated location, subsequently taking a sudden U-turn in an attempt to return to their starting point.
The situation escalated sharply when Aimee tried to note down the vehicle's registration number. It was at this point, she alleged, the driver attempted to hit her. Adding to the irregularities, she also pointed out a discrepancy between the auto's physical number plate and the one displayed on the Uber application.
"This is not the first or even the second time I've had a negative experience with an Uber driver," Aimee wrote in her post, which was tagged to Uber India. "We choose Uber expecting safety and reliability, but unfortunately, incidents like this continue to happen. It's deeply disappointing and concerning."
Her account quickly went viral, drawing attention from both the ride-hailing giant and law enforcement. Uber India responded publicly on the social media platform, expressing concern and requesting further details via direct message to investigate the matter.
The Bengaluru Police also took note of the online discussion, reaching out to the influencer for specific area details and her contact information. In a subsequent update, Aimee thanked the police for their prompt response but clarified that she had chosen not to file a formal complaint, stating she did not wish for the driver to be jailed.
Uber later apologised for the incident, refunded the passenger’s fare, and said it had taken strict action against the driver.
“What has been described is deeply unfortunate and has no place on the Uber platform. Following the rider’s feedback, the driver’s access to the app has been revoked and the fare refunded. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will provide all necessary information,” an Uber spokesperson said.
The incident has fuelled a broader online debate about the safety of passengers, particularly women, using app-based transport services. While companies like Uber have introduced in-app safety features over the years, this episode has led many users to question the effectiveness of enforcement and background checks.
The public response highlighted a shared frustration, with one social media user commenting on the need to expose such drivers, while another urged for the incident to be seen as a matter of basic passenger rights rather than being framed through a regional or linguistic lens.
In her final message on the issue, Aimee expressed hope that Uber would "take the necessary action to resolve this issue and ensures the safety of every passenger moving forward."
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