Ordering an Uber is a source of comfort and security for many Aussies looking to get from A to B quickly. However, a young woman’s recent experience had her feeling “uncomfortable” and “taken advantage of”.
Lexie Pickering, a prominent Australian hockey player, told Yahoo News she paid $50 to be taken home from the airport in Perth on a recent hot summer’s day. The journey started off smoothly, with her and the driver discussing her recent travels and work as a high-level hockey player.
Lexie said the temperature that day was well into the 30s, and shortly into the drive, the man told her she would be required to pay $5 to turn on the car’s air conditioning.
“I was a bit taken aback and laughed,” she told Yahoo News of her reaction, adding, “there’s no way I’m paying more for aircon”.
Lexie claims the driver, whom she chose not to identify, insisted she could afford it because of her work.
“I sat in silence the rest of the drive, and he never put the aircon on but rolled his two windows down at the front instead,” she said.
The request left her feeling “uncomfortable”. She shared the exchange with close friends and shared a video online.
Lexie said it was because of their conversation about her profession that the man implied she could afford to pay the fee.
“I hoped it wasn’t anything more malicious but that he just wanted more money out of me,” she said.
“But it was a hot and quiet drive,” she said, adding that she made it home safely despite the interaction.
Uber told Yahoo News the passenger should not have been asked to pay extra for air conditioning, and it is investigating the incident.
“We are shocked by this and apologise to the rider for her experience,” an Uber spokesperson said.
“We are actively investigating the matter. Fraudulent activity, such as driver-partners encouraging riders to pay for any part of their trip outside of the Uber platform, is a breach of Uber’s Community Guidelines, and this kind of behaviour can result in driver-partners permanently losing access to the app.”
All riders are encouraged to report any concerns or issues to Uber via the app. Such reports go to Uber’s 24/7 Incident Response Team.
The hockey player was told by her Uber driver she should be able to afford the $5 fee. Source: Lexie Pickering
Passengers report drivers requesting payments outside Uber app
It’s not the first time passengers have been asked to make payments to drivers outside of the app’s requested fare.
Melbourne woman Gemma Dimond previously warned others using the rideshare app to “please be safe”, after she accused her driver of “cancelling” her trip before requesting she pay him directly.
Dimond ordered the ride after a night out in Melbourne, being sure to “check the number plate and everything”.
After confirming the vehicle, she jumped in, but shortly after, the driver allegedly “cancelled the trip”, blaming a glitch in the app for the interruption, and asked her to bank transfer the fee.
Others have reported similar experiences when booking a rideshare driver from Melbourne Airport.
In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, an Uber spokesperson said at the time, “Fraudulent activity, such as driver-partners encouraging riders to pay directly in exchange for a trip, is a clear breach of Uber’s Community Guidelines”
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