App cab drivers are allegedly finding ways to dodge paying commission to the aggregator platforms they log on to.
Some of them have been cancelling a ride after asking for permission from the passenger. After the trip is logged out of the system, the passenger is driven to the destination and cash taken.
Picking up a passenger from the city airport late in the evening, an app cab driver sought permission from the passenger to cancel the ride. Asked why he wanted to cancel the ride on the platform, the driver said: “This way I don’t need to pay the commission....”
Drivers who have suffered because of the pandemic and then the surge in fuel prices are trying to take advantage of loopholes on the platform.
“It’s the end of the day for me. I will not be logging into the platform. If passengers co-operate I just get to pocket the full fare,” said the driver requesting anonymity.
The driver is charged Rs 30 per cancellation whereas commission to pay to the company is 25 per cent of the fare.
Both app cabs — Uber and Ola — are experiencing this slip that their drivers are giving them.
“We strongly discourage off-platform trips as these have no accountability or safety support for either riders or drivers. Another advantage of on-platform trips is insurance coverage for drivers and riders, should they find themselves in the midst of an unfortunate situation,” said an Uber spokesperson.
Not just app cabs but app two-wheeler drivers too are negotiating with their riders. “They are just using the app to get the rides and then they call up the prospective passenger and negotiate the fare,” said Indranil Banerjee of Online Cab Operators’ Guild.