From Ola & Uber to Uber Black: My Evolving cab experience

Now that BluSmart has shut operations in the city, I had to look for alternatives. Recently, I tried Uber Black, and here is my experience so far.

BHPian orapple recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I too mostly depend on cabs when I have to head somewhere with tricky or limited parking.

Initially, like many, I used Uber and Ola. But by 2022, I had completely shifted to BluSmart. The main reasons for the switch were:
1. Driver experience — Far too often, drivers on Uber and Ola were rude or indifferent.
2. Cab quality — The cabs (especially WagonRs and Dzires) were in poor shape — dead shock absorbers, barely functioning ACs, which is a nightmare in the Gurgaon heat.
3. Reliability — Last-minute cancellations were a regular headache and made reaching on time a gamble.

Interestingly, my shift to BluSmart wasn’t because it was an EV service — it was purely because they solved these three pain points.

However, over time, even BluSmart started facing issues. Their Tata Tigors aged, the shockers became ineffective, and the ride quality suffered. I even used to opt for their premium MG options and paid extra for better ride comfort, especially for full-day rentals.

Now that BluSmart has shut operations in the city, I had to look for alternatives.

Recently, I tried Uber Black, and here is my experience so far:
1. Driver experience — A well-dressed driver in a white uniform showed up, very professional and respectful throughout the ride.
2. Cab experience — Got a Toyota Hyryder. The cab was clean, well-maintained, and even had a bottle of water waiting for the rider.
3. Reliability — No unnecessary questions about the destination, smooth pickup, and similar feedback from a few friends who’ve also tried it.

Curious, I asked the driver about this. He mentioned that these Uber Black cabs are part of professionally managed fleets that Uber has tied up with. Along with Hyryders, they are also adding Ciaz and XL6 models to the fleet. (Personally, I’m not a big fan of the Ciaz for ride comfort, but the XL6 with captain seats sounds promising.)

Overall, quite a refreshing experience after a long time!

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