It’s also worth taking a look at the InDrive app, which is designed mostly for intercity trips like this — you can get offers and negotiate prices in the app, including how you pay, so there should be no confusion. We used it between a few cities on our trip to India last year and it was cheaper and easier than Uber for that kind of ride.

I took an Uber last week to the AirBNB in Mumbai where my wife and I are staying while visiting family. I had a local hot spot device that a relative loaned us in order to summon and use Uber with my iPhone without activating my $10 a day Verizon Travel Pass. We had quite a few bags and luggage and were also jet lagged after flying 17 hours nonstop from Toronto to Mumbai.. In the confusion and exhaustion of the moment, I left the hot spot device in the Uber.

In Mumbai, after completing a ride, the driver’s telephone number is not visible in the app. So I emailed Uber through the app. They said they had contacted the driver who said he had it and gave us his number to call to arrange return of the device. Over the next three days, we arranged specific times and places for him to meet us. Each time he never turned up. Then he stopped answering his phone when I called. I complained to Uber and its rep promised to escalate it and get back to me. Multiple attempts to reach them have resulted in no reply or promises of a call from “a member of our team” that never materialize. Ten days later, I have given up on Uber remedying the situation. Their customer service is only that in name, useless for any actual real need.

Unfortunately, the competition for Uber in India is Ola that does not work with foreign phones or allow foreign credit cards.

I now check carefully for anything that might have fallen out of my pocket before leaving the vehicle.

Hamba kahle & totsiens