Ride-hailing service Uber's user base has grown substantially in the recent years and despite initial hiccups in India, the service is now among the most preferred options in the country when it comes to transport. Now, the company has released some guidelines to make passenger riders as well as partner drivers aware about the reasons that can get them banned from using its service.
Even though the company specifies that the guidelines are meant for US only, there is a very good chance that the mentioned problematic behaviour can get you into trouble with the company anywhere around the world. Here are the ways that passengers can be banned from using the service according to the company:
Vandalisation: Uber says that vandalisation by passengers is not acceptable. Those who are found guilty of intentionally damaging property or causing damage by even vomiting due to excessive alcohol consumption can be banned from its service.
No sex rule: The company has clarified that "Uber has a no sex rule." The passengers have been advised not to touch or flirt with fellow passengers or the driver. The company says that hitting other people in the car is unacceptable as well.
Abusive language or gestures: The company says that making verbal comments that are aggressive, sexual, discriminatory, or disrespectful can get you banned from using its service. It has further advised passengers not to ask personal questions from other people in the car.
Contact after ride: Uber says that contacting someone via text, call, or visiting them after a ride is over is not advisable.
Drugs and alcohol: Uber says that bringing open containers or alcohol or drugs into the car, traveling in large groups that exceed the number of seat belts in the car, or asking the driver to break local traffic rules can get you in trouble. Human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children are the other things that company has listed out as intolerable.
Uber has said that if it receives a complaint regarding a passenger on the above mentioned accounts, it will launch an investigation. During the investigation, the company will contact the passenger and might put a hold on the user's account till the investigation is complete. "Any behavior involving violence, sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity while using Uber can result in the immediate loss of your account," it said.
Other reasons mentioned by the company involve possession of firearms, discrimination, and fraud or illegitimate behaviour.
The ride-hailing service company has further said that the partner drivers might lose access to Uber on the basis of their star ratings, cancellation rate, low acceptance rates, or disregard for safety. Some of the other reasons mentioned regarding sexual harassment, drugs, and physical contact are same as the ones that apply to the passengers.
It can be seen as a good move by Uber to be transparent about its policies and laying down the ground rules to ensure that passengers as well as drivers are made aware about their responsibilities while riding together.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.