On a recent trip to Mexico, I decided once I landed in Cancun, that I would take Uber to my hotel instead of paying for an overpriced cab. Well technically Uber isn’t allowed to pick up at Cancun, there are several airport hotels near by and there’s nothing against getting an Uber from one of them.
Once at a near by airport hotel I pulled up the app, and requested the Uber from my app. When the Uber pulled up, the driver spoke nearly any English, however he kept saying “gasolina”.
Sure enough, he meant that his gas tank was nearly empty and we’d need to stop for gas. Granted this is uberXÂ with the rates being based on both time and distance, so not only would I be stopping for gas, this could cause extra time which I’d be charged for.
However once at the gas station, it was clear that not only was the car in dire need of gas, the driver fully expected me to help out with the price of gas. Well, we’ve heard about Uber drivers wanting tips, I’ve never heard of a passenger having to pay for gas.
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Have you ever taken Uber in Mexico? Have you had a similar experience?Â
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Umm… No. I hope you didn’t give him anything. It’s bad enough he’s charging you for the time it takes him to fill up, but to expect you to chip in for gas too? I would complain to Uber.
The Uber app now makes drivers drive practically non stop, so it’s possible due to this – maybe he was running low (although you can request to stop driving so he could have avoided this)
But also, I spend a lot of time in Latin American countries and I feel like every time I get into a cab we have to stop to get gas (but they never ask for gas money) lol
Do you speak Spanish? Is it possible he WASNT asking for gas money? I’ve never actually heard of this in my life
This happened to me in DC.
I have taken Uber in Mexico several times and its a wonder, especially in Mexico City. I suggest you send an email to Uber support, you might get your trip refunded. Twice I have complained for minor issues and have gotten a refund/credit almost immediately
In a trip to Mexico City in March, I used Uber a lot. I can say that although the service was good overall, there is defiantly some strange things going on with the drivers there.
From my driver stopping at his “brother’s” house to use the bathroom, to wanting to cancel the ride and pay them in cash…
I honestly felt like their oversight and rule enforcement was either non-existent or way too relaxed.
We used Uber several times while in Mexico City and have never had a problem. Actually the experience with Uber in foreign countries seems to be better than here in the US in my opinion. This is definitely interesting. Hopefully they’re not trying to “game” the system
Welcome to the “sharing economy”…
Used Uber a couple times in Tijuana without any problems. Its a great way to get to or from the beaches back to the San Ysidro border crossing. Every driver I’ve had there was nice, with a nice(r) clean car, although they rarely spoke any English (which I never expect them to – you’re in Mexico after all).
I *did* take an Uber in Colombia once, where we were stopped by a cop and shook down for a small bribe (he was happy with 5000 pesos, less than $2). The driver saw it coming when we turned a corner and saw the cop there, and had a couple seconds to warn me in advance. Then apologized after the fact. (and no, I have no reason to believe he was in on it).
You just kind of have to roll with it when you’re in foreign countries – any of these things could have happened in a regular taxi as well.