Bengaluru cabbies battle vomiting passengers, unpaid fares at night

Late-night rides in Bengaluru's chill are turning into a nightmare for many cab drivers. From passengers throwing up inside vehicles to others simply refusing to pay, cabbies say the post-midnight hours bring a unique set of problems that test their patience and their pockets.

The vomit problem

Several drivers interviewed by TNIE said the most common issue is passengers vomiting, often after a night of partying. The mess isn't just unpleasant — it means lost earnings while the cab is taken off the road for cleaning.

"It happens almost every weekend," said a driver who has been with a leading aggregator for four years. "The passenger apologises, but the cleaning cost and the downtime come out of my pocket."

Some drivers now carry plastic bags and tissues as a precaution, but that doesn't always help. "If they are too drunk, they can't aim properly," another driver said with a wry smile.

Unpaid fares and abuse

Then there are the passengers who simply vanish without paying. In many cases, the fare is supposed to be paid digitally, but technical glitches or deliberate cancellation of the payment request leave drivers high and dry.

"A passenger cancelled the payment request right after reaching the destination. The app showed the trip as completed, but I never got the money," said a cabbie who operates mainly at night. "The support team takes days to respond, and often they don't help at all."

Verbal abuse is another recurring complaint. Some passengers, emboldened by the anonymity of a booking app, use foul language when questioned about payment or behaviour. "We are not asking for a tip, just what is owed," one driver said.

Safety concerns for drivers

The problems aren't just financial. Drivers say they often feel unsafe picking up unknown passengers at odd hours, especially in isolated areas. While the apps have an emergency button, drivers claim it is rarely effective in real-time situations.

"If a passenger becomes aggressive, what can we do? We are alone in the car," said a driver who once had to call the police after a passenger refused to leave the vehicle. The police arrived late, and the passenger left without paying.

Drivers also point out that night shift earnings are barely enough to cover the risks. The lack of proper lighting on many Bengaluru roads, especially in newly developed areas, adds to the discomfort.

Demand for action

Driver unions and individual cabbies have repeatedly asked cab aggregators to introduce stricter penalties for passengers who damage vehicles or skip payments. They also want a faster dispute resolution mechanism within the apps.

Some drivers have started installing dashcams to protect themselves, but this is not a universal practice. "The company should install them, or at least subsidise the cost," one driver argued.

Passenger behaviour, however, remains the crux of the issue. "If you are drunk, arrange for a friend to accompany you. And please, always pay the fare," a veteran driver said, summing up the sentiment.

As Bengaluru's night economy grows, with more offices and pubs operating late, the friction between drivers and passengers is likely to increase unless concrete steps are taken. Aggregators and city authorities will need to address these grievances soon, or risk a shortage of drivers willing to take the night shift.