The Indian monsoon brings not only relief from the heat but also familiar urban issues like waterlogging, traffic jams, and notably, the surge in ride-hailing fares. Recently, a man highlighted the steep surge pricing by Uber during the rains in Gurugram. On LinkedIn, he shared that an Uber ride of just 1.8 km was quoted at ₹700.
“If only I had the foresight to invest in Uber’s surge pricing instead of the stock market, I’d be outpacing Harshad Mehta by now! Isn’t it ironic when the problem your product originally set out to solve becomes its biggest flaw?” LinkedIn user Surya Pandey remarked.
Pandey criticized ride-hailing services, noting that they were initially meant to solve issues of cab accessibility and affordability. However, he found himself facing a 300% increase in fare after just a little rain in Gurugram, leading him to search for alternative solutions. He humorously suggested asking people leaving parking exits for a lift.
“The distance was a mere 1.8 km,” he concluded, sharing a screenshot of the Uber app.
See the post here:
The post garnered numerous reactions on LinkedIn.
One user commented, “Grateful for the unexpected cost-saving benefits of the rainy season. The generosity of people offering lifts has truly been heartwarming during this time.”
Another user, a regional sales head, mentioned, “I travel a lot but stopped using Ola or Uber in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Kolkata. They are not reliable, and the charges are static with traditional cabs. With Uber, you often face overcharging and unreliable service.”
An assistant manager shared their frustration: “They charged 200 for just 600 meters. As soon as it rains, prices skyrocket.”
An analytics professional added sarcastically, “Affordable compact rides at 700 for 1.8 km, nice.”
Uber’s official website explains that surge pricing is triggered when “there aren’t enough cars on the road” to meet demand, which can be influenced by factors such as bad weather, rush hour, and special events. “In these cases of very high demand, prices may increase to help ensure that those who need a ride can get one,” Uber states.
