‘Premium fare, no comfort’: Gurugram man exposes ‘AC not working’ trick by cab drivers

Gurugram rider calls attention to AC complaints in app-based cabs. (Image: @peepoye_/ X)

Concerns over cab service standards in Delhi-NCR have once again come under the spotlight after a Gurugram-based man flagged what he described as a common practice among drivers to avoid using air conditioning despite charging premium fares.

Akassh Ashok Gupta, founder and CEO of Peepoye Network, took to X to describe what happened during a premium cab ride he booked on February 5 from Gurugram to Mayur Vihar.

According to Gupta, the driver accepted the booking without objection but informed him after he got inside the vehicle that the AC was not working. “Driver accepted the ride but the moment I sat inside the cab…he pulled the classic ‘AC not working’ trick to save bucks,” Gupta wrote.

Gupta said he questioned the driver about the issue and later confronted him, leading to a conversation that, according to him, revealed a larger problem linked to weak enforcement by ride-hailing platforms.

“I called him out, confronted him and then got him to admit it, and uncovered the real issue: cab companies aren’t enforcing rules or giving us easy ways to report this harassment. Drivers gaming the system for extra margins while we sweat it out,” he said.

Gupta added that ride-hailing platforms are failing to act on complaints, making it difficult for passengers to report such behaviour. He said this lack of enforcement allows some drivers to misuse the system while customers have limited options to seek redress.

In his post, Gupta also shared a video recorded from the back seat of the cab. He said he had deliberately not shown the driver’s name or face, adding that the issue was not about one individual but about a wider pattern affecting passengers. He said this problem is increasing across Delhi-NCR. During the exchange captured in the video, the driver explained his reason for switching off the AC, saying, “Kuch bacha nahi hai (Not much money is left with us).”

The driver later acknowledged his mistake and told Gupta that he would not repeat such behaviour with other passengers. Towards the end of the video, Gupta said ride-hailing companies should take full responsibility for ensuring drivers follow service standards.

The post drew strong reactions from social media users, many of whom said they had faced similar situations, including during airport transfers and premium bookings.

One user recalled paying extra for an airport cab after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport but receiving poor service. “Walk 100m out and the fare is half. Pathetic cab, worse driver. AC didn’t work and his excuse was, ‘Yeh AC ka mausam nahi hai.’ Premium price. Zero service,” the user wrote.

Booked premium Rapido cab yesterday (5-Feb-26, Gurgaon→Mayur Vihar) Driver accepted the ride but the moment i sat inside the cab...he pulls the classic "AC not working" trick to save bucks! I called him out, confronted him and then got him to admit it, and uncovered the real… pic.twitter.com/zUyiYJU2Kr

— Akassh Ashok Gupta (@peepoye_) February 6, 2026

Another user compared cab services in India with those in other countries, highlighting differences in cleanliness and driver behaviour. He wrote, “This is one of the major differences in India and other countries when it comes to commuting. Even in Bali, you give money very happily because. The car is squeaky clean. AC in the 2nd row in almost all cars, if not, AC always works before you sit in the car. The most important PR training of drivers. The driver greets you nicely, talks to you, and always has a smile. In India, going in a cab is always underwhelming.”

Some users questioned why air conditioning was needed during winter in Delhi-NCR. Responding to this, Gupta said that keeping windows open is often not practical due to pollution and traffic conditions. “AQI is at peak, and moreover, there are a lot of areas where there's a lot of traffic. It makes riding with windows down very difficult, especially when you are not well.”

Another user said the situation has worsened since ride-hailing platforms shifted to an aggregator-only model, “Absolutely correct. These drivers are making weird excuses for not putting on the AC and start fighting. Some say gas nahi hai, some say kharaab ho gaya, some say extra lagega. Bahut hi kharaab haalat hai jab se ola Uber ne khali aggregator banana shuru kiya hai .”