Viral post shows Uber Pets charging 5 times more than regular rides in Gurgaon: 'Why is this service a luxury?'

Uber introduced its Uber Pets service in Bengaluru last year and has since expanded it to Delhi and Mumbai.

A Gurugram-based woman has sparked debate online after claiming that Uber Pets, the ride-hailing service’s pet-friendly option, charges more than five times the fare of a standard Uber Go ride.

In a viral LinkedIn post, Anya Rao shared her surprise upon discovering the Uber Pets feature while booking a cab. However, what stood out to her was not the convenience but the significant price difference.

"I was booking an Uber the other day and noticed their new feature, Uber Pets, a service that allows riders to bring their pets along. Sounds great, right? Well, not when you look at the price," she wrote.

She compared fares for a short 2 km journey and found that while a regular Uber ride cost Rs 100, the same trip under Uber Pets was priced at a staggering Rs 530—more than five times the standard fare.

"If the goal was accessibility, why is this service a luxury?" she questioned, speculating on the possible reasons behind the high cost. "Is it extra cleaning fees? A premium for pet-friendly drivers? Or just another way to squeeze more money out of pet owners?"

"For many, pets are family, and they shouldn't have to pay an absurd premium just to travel together," she added.

Rao also quipped that her local auto driver would take both her and her pet for just Rs 60, even throwing in some belly rubs for the dog.

Her post quickly gained traction, with social media users weighing in on the pricing.

One user commented, "The 5.3 times the price was really unexpected. I don't think people choose this over their own vehicle or a better option."

Another questioned the logic behind the premium pricing: "If it’s about cleaning fees, wouldn’t a refundable deposit make more sense? And if it’s for pet-friendly drivers, does that mean regular Uber drivers can refuse pets even if they’re well-behaved?"

"It’s a good business idea for someone to start their own pet-friendly service at affordable prices. This could directly compete with Uber in this segment or at least push them to reduce prices," one commenter suggested.

Another user pointed out, "The pricing is extreme, but I feel they introduced this because more Indians are choosing pets over children, and they see a market opportunity."

Meanwhile, a practical suggestion came from a user who wrote, "Just book a regular Uber and tell the driver you have a pet. Most drivers don’t mind, as long as there’s no mess."

Uber introduced its Uber Pets service in Bengalurulast year and has since expanded it to Delhi and Mumbai. According to the company’s website, Uber Pet rides are more expensive than standard rides due to the additional considerations required for transporting animals.

The company also stated that passengers may be charged an extra cleaning fee if their pet sheds excessively, makes a mess, or damages the vehicle.