No AC, exorbitant bill: Ola asked to pay Rs. 88K to Abids customer

Hyderabad: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Hyderabad, has directed Ola Cabs to pay Rs. 88,000 to a customer for deficiency in service and unfair trade practices. Ola has also been asked to pay Rs. 7,000 towards the costs of the proceedings. It is given 45 days to comply with the order.

Jabez Samuel, a resident of Abids, uses Ola frequently. On 19 October 2021, he booked a cab for four hours. However, when Samuel and his wife boarded the car, they found the cab untidy. When the couple requested the driver to turn on the AC, he refused.

According to Samuel, the driver was rude and asked them to get down after travelling for 4-5 km. A bill of Rs. 861 was generated. Samuel did not have to pay the amount to the driver as he had Ola Money Cash Credit.

Alternatively, Samuel submitted to the Commission that the bill was higher than usual when it should have been Rs. 150-200 for 4-5 km.

He informed Ola Cab's customer care regarding the incident and the unfairly priced bill. While Samuel repeatedly asked the executives to forward his issue to higher authorities, it was not done. Instead, he began receiving multiple calls from Ola Cabs requesting him to pay the bill.

Eventually, Samuel was harassed into paying the bill. Vexed by multiple calls, he paid the amount on 5 January 2022.

The Commission has also directed Ola Cabs to refund the sum of Rs. 861 along with interest at 12% per annum from the date of the journey till realization.

Despite notices and publications of notices, Ola Cabs did not appear before the Commission. It did not contest the matter.

The Commission also found that the deficiency of transport service provided by the opposite party led to harassment and tension to the complainant in as much as he struggled to find an alternate transport service to reach his destination.