Rapido Customer Claims Auto Driver Held Him Hostage Over Payment
A social media user in Bengaluru has levelled serious allegations that a Rapido auto-rickshaw driver essentially held him “hostage” for hours after an argument over online payment. The rider cited having breathing issues and a fractured leg that prevented escape.
He alleged that the driver refused to let him go from the locked auto despite pleading on grounds of medical vulnerability. The user ultimately dialed emergency police number 100 to secure freedom.
Ordeal Highlights Missing Safety Features
The traumatic hours-long confinement ordeal faced by the customer underscored absence of safety features or SOS assistance mechanisms on the Rapido platform that could have expedited help, as per the user.
I was held hostage by @rapidobikeapp rider for hours and they had no security feature to help me.
— Omang Agarwal (@mango_sax) February 26, 2024
He had an issue with the UPI payment. I've a breathing issue and broken leg, I couldn't escape.
Their app has no SOS if the ride has ended.
Only escaped when I dialed 100 pic.twitter.com/4ZOnmEhTkQ
He argued that once ride gets completed, Rapido platform offers no recourse for riders to seek urgent assistance in instances of disputes or misbehavior turning severe, unlike other cab aggregators stressing such protections.
Customer claims unlawful confinement by Rapido driver
The episode has sparked renewed criticism on social media over ride-hailing apps allegedly prioritizing growth and revenues over integrating adequate safeguards for customer well-being in the backdrop of past unpleasant incidents too.
