The worst Uber driver I ever encountered

I've had a number of experiences using Uber, mostly pleasant. I started using Uber long before they came to Nigeria, mostly because I go to some cities that have wacky transportation system, like Los Angeles, etc. The major attraction for me when traveling somewhere is how easily I can move around without having to inconvenience my host, and some cities do a poor job of providing that.

I've used Uber in Lagos Nigeria only twice. Most of my Uber trips have been in different states in US and quite uneventful

Last week, I decided to take an Uber ride from one part of Houston to the other. The first red flag was that the driver was on a 4 star rating. Any Uber rider knows that this is pretty low for Uber, and personally, this is the lowest Uber rating I've ever encountered. I heard that they allow as low as 3 star rating in Nigeria, I’m not sure though.

I made up my mind right then that I would give her a 5 star rating in order to improve the driver’s rating so the driver doesn't get kicked out of Uber services. I always give Uber drivers 5 stars though, so this wasn’t a big deal.

My ride came as planned, and the driver was an Asian female, most likely Chinese or Hong Kong, from the way she looked.

It was supposed to be a 1 hour 20 minutes trip. She picked me up and the ride was uneventful. She only asked if my house got flooded and if I was married (side eye).

Then after like 30 minutes of the trip, she said she would have to drop me along the way, and I should get another Uber ride because she doesn't have enough gas. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I felt this must be the joke of the century.

I asked if I was going to be billed for the whole trip, since my account had been debited. She said it would be just for the miles she drove. Right in the car, without allowing me to respond, she ended the trip! I decided that this lady won’t get a penny from me even if it was my last blood I had to give.


Then right in the middle of the road, she said “you can leave my car now.” Imagine stopping in the middle of red traffic light queue on an express road, with cars on the left and right and she asked me to get down.

I immediately concluded that the lady was mentally unstable. I mean, what reasonable person does that? I asked that she take me to a safer stop because we are in the middle of the road.

She started saying "and don't forget to rate me 5 stars", "please rate me 5 stars", “bla bla bla… 5 stars”

Are you okay?? You definitely cannot be alright. How in the world will you be begging for 5 stars after what you did? 

This is what was running through my mind then. Also, no Uber driver has ever asked me to rate them before

I was just looking at her, still shocked to the marrow. This woman offered no apology whatsoever. While getting down, I looked at the car seat well to make sure I didn’t forget any of my items in the car of a woman who wasn’t alright.

To be honest, I don't think gas was her issue. She dropped me off that way either because

1. She is mentally unstable
2. She didn't want to go the whole journey cos my destination was a bit far, and she might encounter little traffic

Anyway, she dropped me, I found another driver who came in 7 minutes. I wonder what would have happened if I didn’t have mobile data, but only use residential wifi. I picked up my phone immediately, and rated her 1 star because that was the lowest I could rate, and then asked for a refund, with a lengthy explanation of the incident. I also requested that she should be kicked off Uber services. I strongly believe that this wasn’t her first time of messing up, hence her low rating.

By the time I woke up the next morning, Uber had responded to my poor rating of her with an apology. The also granted my request for refund, and gave my $5.00 credit for my next trip. I'm very grateful for their prompt response and resolution

Have you ever had any gruelling or funny riding experiences, mabe not necessarily Uber? Please share, and let's know how you dealt with them.