u/69cpio

I booked an Uber Intercity from Kozhikode city to Cochin International Airport recently. I kept a backup plan of one of my friends driving me to the airport in a worst case.

The prices were cheap at around Rs. 3800 including an uber intercity discount. A driver got assigned in a few hours after scheduling the ride, a highly rated driver. Driver's number was not visible until a few hours before the ride time.

My pickup time was at 3.30 AM and I got the driver's number on the app almost around 7 PM the day before. Driver did not pick up the call on uber app or via normal call. I wanted to confirm whether he will show up or needs any negotiations. All Ai apps warned me Uber driver might not show up or they will ask additional fare.m, all due to less competition in Kozhikode.

My intuition kept on saying that the driver might not arrive or even if they arrive, they might ask for return trip charges. I waited with my friend in my room. I saw the car arriving at exact 3.30 AM. He waited somewhat 100m away in a hidden spot. Driver texted me saying he is unable to make a call via uber app and asked me to call him. Then pasted his mobile number via uber messages, each number individually as a message before Uber detected suspicion and started deleting it. I got the number and called him. He told me people pay up to Rs. 1500 for return and additionally the tolls. But he did not demand a particular amount. Once I confirmed I am okay, he came to pick me up.

If I don't agree, he is entitled for cancelling charges because the ride is within one hour. Nevertheless I had multiple options on app to report additional cash requested etc.

I paid him total Rs. 1800 upon arriving at the airport in which Rs. 400 was toll. He was happy. Uber charged me an extra of Rs. 90 as booking charges.

Nit: Due to his rash drive, he lost his left side mirror to a truck. I couldn't sleep during the drive due to his driving style, he took barely 3 hours to reach CIAL.