[neofromcapone]

The Uber/Ola buisness model was/is quite unsustainable, discounts to the customers and incentives to the drivers was driving the business, funded by investor capital, was keeping the model running.

Till an iceberg called COVID hit.

BEMI of the vehicle was amortized over x number of years and any revenue changes (decrease) would impact the fleet size.
And due to the lockdown and phase wise reopening many drivers couldn't make these payments and had to incur losses when these cars got repossessed by the banks.

And in the meantime bike deliveries just zoomed up, far cheaper vehicle acquisition cost + easier to drive in the city + no passenger rating to bother about and most importantly a chance to make more money with lesser hassle.

IIMO 30% of these drivers became riders, fleet size has gone down and very honestly the focus of the companies has gone away
Ola seems to be prefer it's electric bike business.
Uber seems to have lost its drive.

Result is poor quality of car and service.
This may reverse when the driverless cars take over and Uber will keep almost all the fare, and doesn't have to shell out 70-80% to the driver.

As for my usage, I am very happy with the Metro and AC (I don't travel peak hours) and in the next 18 months with additional metro lines coming into service it will make a further dent.

I see Uber/Ola pivot and tweak their business models.

[rajeevsulu]

My wife used to do a lot of Uber/Ola rides for her office trips in Bangalore and Hyderabad. The last year she shifted to Uber auto for the response time was much lower. I stopped using Uber and Ola around 2018.I was never comfortable with either of them and after the pandemic, never.

[abhi_tjet]

I have never used much Ola/Uber. I started using them only after 2021 onwards and that too when I have to give my vehicle to service or I am in another city. I prefer Uber auto(for congested Pune road infrastructure )than cab unless it’s an airport drop/return.

[ShreyG]

Was never really a heavy user for Uber / Ola. Primarily used them for airport runs or the odd Friday night parties. However, now the apps stand deleted from my phone (post-pandemic).
The wait times in Bengaluru, specially during peak hours and non availability when there are clouds overhead have made them extremely unreliable.
Recently, my wife needed to visit her office for some work and we had 3 cancellations . No reason, just asked for the drop place and cancelled. Now I primarily rely on public transport for the airport runs (if solo) and pre booked cabs (such as Wega and Shoffr in Bangalore) if travelling with family. For same day returns, I prefer to use my own car and park it at the airport parking. So much more convenient and peace of mind.
These days I also hear about unhygenic, run down cabs coming in from Uber / Ola which further fortify my decision to stick with other options.

[Jekyl87]

In my personal experience,

• Agree with quality of cars having deteriorated wholeheartedly. As its the onset of summer, I've also found cabs which do not have AC working, which now prompts me to ask the AC question to them, when they inevitably call to ask the destination and payment method.
• I have switched over from uber to ola completely in the last 2 hears. Although, that is because my uber account has login issues and they fail to rectify that even after i've mailed them a few times.
• My personal usage has increased significantly. My office commute is from North Delhi to Gurgaon and back (40 km one way) , and with traffic getting worse everyday, I prefer taking a cab than driving more and more over the last year.
• I'm yet to find a better option for commute. Tried DriveU but had a couple of bad experiences with cancellation of the driver/significant delay from assigned time. The metro is too crowded, and I'm not ok to stand in a jam packed box for 45 mins. I use Blu for airport runs, but sadly they do not service Delhi right now except for airport pick/drop. I'll switch over completely once they expand.

[ashivas89]

My usage has significantly dropped for the following reasons:

1. I have moved closer to my workplace, and there is limited demand for physical presence. Therefore, I drive myself only when required to be there, without the need for company cabs or after-hours Ubers/Olas beyond the company cab operating window.

2. I have quit drinking for the most part and now drive myself to outings, often serving as the designated driver.

3. There is a metro station located 250 meters away from my flat.

4. Reduced work-related flying due to COVID-19 in the last three years, along with numerous alternatives available for future travel.

Other factors that make Uber/Ola a last resort:

1. I used Uber for a couple of days recently when I had sprained my ankle. The experience was generally fine in terms of booking and punctuality. The drivers were polite, although they had a local language advantage, which is unfair to non-local speakers. However, the cars are now in terrible shape, not only in terms of interior but also mechanically. For instance, an Etios showed up with totally shot rear dampers, resulting in a roller coaster ride on seemingly flat roads!

2. For longer rides, safety is a concern. The old tires we sell back or return to tire dealers end up on cabs, especially the 14-inch 175-section ones.

[guyfrmblr]

I have never used Ola/Uber or any such app based cab aggregators. BMTC/Metro takes care of most of my runs inside Bangalore city. In case of a cab requirement, we mostly use the cab services of our trusted, local cab driver whom we know for more than 20 years now. He has 5 cabs in his fleet and all the drivers are with him for over 20 years. They just cater to only known customers in our area. No hassle of booking cancellations, surge pricing, worn out cars, unsafe driving, etc. All his 5 cars are exceptionally maintained and the drivers drive very safe. We just inform him of any local trips 1-2 days in advance and at least one of the 5 drivers will be always available. For any outstation trips, we inform him 1-2 weeks in advance.

[krinpit]

Voted Yes, assuming you mean using their 4 wheelers.

Surprisingly, I realized that I am using Uber/Ola auto more than 4 wheelers. Their availability is more and their ability to navigate through by lanes is much greater. Add to the fact that 4 wheelers have become expensive while the service levels have plummeted.

4 wheels preferred only for long distances and where travel party is large.

[headbanger]

Chronological order of preference :
BluSmart Cabs
Uber Cabs
Uber Autos

I prefer service over other traits. Hence BluSmart cabs are first choice. Trips to airport and railway station are purely through BluSmart cabs since these can be planned better.

[Sheel]

I always look forward to be picked up by my friend / family if I am going to a new place, simply because, the cabs have become horrible to sit in. The seats are completely soiled, AC’s are inefficient and the smell sometimes in few cabs are too much to tolerate, I almost always have to wear a mask. Out of so many times I have hailed a cab, I still can recall a cab I had boarded in NCR in ‘19, where the cab smelled fresh and I complimented and tipped him a bit extra.

And my these observations are the few times in a year when I go to a place where I can not drive my own car because of time.

From next time, will try to book a private cab, but, the location feeder is not present in these, so, that is a bummer at an unknown place where just like old times, the cabbie will go around in car and may overcharge.

How are the pre paid cabs at airports?

[RijuC]

I have completely stopped using Uber in Delhi NCR due to:

1. Cancellations by driver irrespective of destination, payment modes (wallet or cash),
2. Exorbitant price,
3. Bad behaviour of drivers,
4. CNG filling stops in Delhi without informing before trip start.

I sometimes use Uber for Airport drop in Kolkata. Uber pickup from Kolkata Airport is a strict no due to cancellation and Mafia type behaviour.

I rarely used OLA before pandemic (post covid it is zero, I don't have the OLA app anymore. Wallet had 200-300 Rs balance) due to:

1. Cancellation,
2. Unhygienic and dirty condition of the cabs.

My present cab ride is Blusmart in Delhi-NCR.

1. Easily available if pre-booked,
2. Drivers are mostly well behaved,
3. Clean cab condition.

Problems with Blusmart:

1. Slow speed,
2. Fare is high at lean time.

Otherwise I take Metro of DMRC, Airport line, Rapid metro or Noida metro.

When I am visiting Kolkata, I used to opt for self-drive car rental from Revv. However, in recent times their service quality has gone down drastically. Also, they have some policy changes. Hence I am avoiding Revv nowadays.

[ritedhawan]

I used to take Uber cabs occasionally until Covid. Post Covid the only time I travelled in Uber was last August 2022. Took thier service thrice in the space of 2 days. That was the last time I used Uber. I have never used Ola.

If the sum total of opinions are taken into account. One would have to think twice or thrice before thinking about boarding Uber cab let along an Ola cab.

I start to wonder, the common denominator between Zoomcar and such cab hailing services are the car's which are part of thier fleet. Slowly bringing such companies down thanks to lack of maintainence of thier vehicles.

[FalconRed]

Other than station and airport drops have stopped them completely.

Reason : notorious cancellation and waiting time.

If the place I need to visit don't have car parking either I prefer to walk or take bike out.
Somewhere feel that bike taxis are more reliable than Ola uber. But that comes with an additional risk of rash driving and getting injured.

[dineshnan]

Back in 2017 I'd booked Uber and was waiting for it but suddenly received a message trip cancelled. I booked Ola and went ahead with my journey. Later I was charged for cancellation. Even after multiple calls to customer service, these charges were not waived off (in spite of telling them I didn't cancel the trip). Since then I stopped using Uber because if I book a new ride even today, I get a message that your previous dues would be added in the current bill. Uber app is no more on my mobile.

Couple of days ago while booking Ola, got a message 'ride not available' so I re-tried and got the booking with driver details and OTP. To my surprise, another driver came to pick me up (from previous attempt). I was confused. OTP was not working for this driver. Even then he was forcing me to ride his cab and cancel the other one. I called second driver. He refused to cancel. Finally I went ahead with the second driver for whom I received valid OTP. I was again charged for cancellation but after calling customer service, the charges got waived off.
Surely the customer service from both cab providers is deteriorated.
Problem is black & yellow prepaid taxi charges nearly thrice the amount from Airport to Navi mumbai.

[GhostRider28]

I have definitely reduced the usage. The fact that Uber keeps on giving me discounts (personalised) on fares is the ultimate proof! Multiple reasons
1. Airport runs: Prices of Uber/Ola are now near to the office contract cars. Secondly, I have started to opt for Snap E electric cabs from the Kolkata airport.
2. When car is in the service centre: Once or twice a year (touchwood!)
3. Clubs and parties: I have started to take CarzonRent services as prices are comparable now and car qualities are better.
4. Most Uber/Ola car conditions are pathetic and refusals have become rampant.