When you’re not feeling Uber good in a car

There’s a post that went viral last week about an UBER driver that is being accused of either trying to hold up or do something worse to a passenger. Elisa Borja says in her Facebook post “My daughter”s Uber ride experience last night was so frightening and nerve-wracking. This hasn’t been her first time to ride Uber. She takes Uber whenever her class ends at 9pm or when I am not able to fetch her. We are a family of Uber car users. Her 3 other sisters are Uber regulars.

We thought it is safe and reliable. We thought Uber has a good screening process for drivers. Last night my daughter took an Uber car ride home from her school in Makati. During the ride the driver kept opening the window saying he is not feeling well. Then upon reaching Tivoli Gardens in Mandaluyong, he told my daughter that he will buy water so he can take his meds. He stopped by a house with a small store. The area is not well lit. My daughter sensed danger so she decided to get out of the car. When she was about to alight from the car, 2 men went inside, one at the driver’s seat and the other one at the back beside her. The original driver was still outside the car. My daughter mustered all courage to get out of the car. When she was outside, the original driver said that he asked the two men to drive him to VPMC (hospital) and if she’s willing to wait they will drive her home after the check up. If not, they will drop her off at the nearest place where she can take a cab. My daughter declined and seeing a guard at the Tivoli Garden she went to that direction and the Uber car sped off. If the driver was not feeling well, then why did he accept the booking.

We complained last night to Uber BUT WE DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. We thought that’s the end of it. The driver is texting my daughter. The PLATE # is YQ 554 ,Toyota Vios Driver’s name is Kelvin. Please forward to all to warn Uber users and future Uber users.”

I didn’t share it publicly because I didn’t have both sides. Besides which, even if it turned out true, I didn’t want to create mass panic that would shut down what is essentially the safest alternative to cabs we have ever had in this country due to what I believe is an isolated incident.

Now we hear the side of the driver. Turns out he really was rushed to hospital and has records to prove it. Also, the gentleman who drove the Uber driver to the hospital has also come forward and verified the same story. All are consistent with making sure that the lady passenger had the option of either riding to the hospital or being dropped at a well-lit secured place to secure another ride.

Many commented on the fact that the driver shouldn’t have accepted the ride if he was feeling bad and should never have invited a stranger into the car. Well, as a person who collapsed and had to be rushed to the ER only last Saturday for a sudden drop in blood sugar, I can tell you that you don’t always see or feel it coming and you don’t normally make the most sound decisions when you are convinced you are dying.

Yes, Uber is not perfect. But after spending a few days driving one last week for a story on CNN Philippines’ Drive, as well as the last year using it as a passenger, I believe they are as close to it as possible. I’d say 95 percent by the average of talking to my passengers and my own personal experience.

Regardless, as part of standard procedure, Uber has suspended the driver’s account until the investigation is completed. Now try and imagine that happening in a regular cab. Even if a reputable cab company suspended or fired the driver, he will be driving another cab the following day. This is why I do not want to see Uber, or similar services, the victim of fear mongering.

On a different yet somewhat related note, if this ever happens to you, you can always call LIFELINE. They can dispatch a driver on call to get you AND your car home safely if you are suddenly unfit to drive. Just dial 16911 and they’ll get you there safely. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only for drunk drivers. It’s for anyone that feels they are no longer fit to drive themselves and cannot leave their car behind. And it is a lot faster than typing a rant on social media.