r/capetown • u/ElectionRare471 • 1d ago
PSA Uber and e delivery services in Cape Town becoming unreliable and dangerous
Just a warning based on my own experience.
I no longer feel comfortable using Uber or some delivery services in Cape Town, especially at night. I've had too many situations where drivers were difficult to reach, locations on the app didn't seem accurate, deliveries were delayed for long periods, and communication was poor.
I've also experienced drivers becoming rude or argumentative when simple instructions were given. Recently, a delivery driver repeatedly rang bells and caused a disturbance despite clear delivery instructions, and then became confrontational when asked about it.
Not every driver is like this, but the overall experience has become frustrating and, at times, unsafe.
My advice, especially for women and tourists, is to be cautious when using these services at night. If possible, use transport arranged directly through your hotel, accommodation, or a trusted company.
I've decided to stop using Uber for now. Until GPS tracking, driver accountability, and customer safety improve, I'd rather use alternative transport options.
Stay safe and trust your instincts.
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u/vaultedskies 1d ago
I had my "best" Uber Black experience recently...
We were about to leave the airport parking when the guy suddenly pulled into the slip lane and went back inside the parking complex. Turns out traffic cops were outside targeting Uber drivers and checking their licences. My driver didn't have a licence, so he asked me to drive out and past the cops, and then we switched back again.
Fun times!
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u/Round_Weakness_8076 1d ago
Yeah I have been using uber for years but recently its like theyre just hiring anyone. One of my ubers was hooting like crazy at 2 cars within like a 10 minute drive and generally being weird and asking if I have a boyfriend, where do I meet men, who was that guy that I was just with, asking if I drink alcohol, etc. Not the worst experience just a very recent one. So generally I think its just that uber doesnt really vett their employees very well maybe
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u/Odessa_ray Howzit china? 1d ago
I take uber a lot and this is the general consensus from them:
Before Covid Uber was a lot more vigilant and only allowed a certain amount of uber drivers. They even got bonuses based on how well they worked through out the year.
Post Covid they sold to a guy from India. Yes they are trying to increase general safety but uber as a company has forgotten the most important thing in a company: looking after you employees….
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u/terryZW 23h ago
Uber didn’t “sell to a guy from India” as it is and was a publicly-listed company. Dara Khosrowshahi has been CEO since 2017.
The only thing that changed is that people have started to find the loopholes which allow registration of cars and drivers that shouldn’t qualify.
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u/Round_Weakness_8076 22h ago
That does make sense. Some cars just straight up do not have seat belts which kinda should not be a thing 💀💀
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u/Round_Weakness_8076 22h ago
Yeah have heard from a few drivers how they are thinking of quitting and it is barely paying the bills anymore. It is sad as it is such a needed service 😪 Hope something positive changes for the driver's soon!
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u/shortypam 1d ago
I’ve noticed a marked decrease in the quality of uber services - the state of the vehicles. The delivery etiquette etc. This is complacency when a company becomes a virtual monopoly and you don’t have other options - no matter how bad the service is, you will stay - the best you can do is make noise - on social media, on complaint channels or try to find a safer alternative (NOT BOLT!!) - but seriously when you get in the car, loudly call a friend - tell them all the details of the drive - driver name, number plate, tell them when you are getting to your destination, let them know you are sharing your trip. Record the trip as well via the uber safety tools. I know it’s so stupid and over the top, but sometimes over the top precautions need to be taken when it comes to safety.
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u/sofiaskat 1d ago
I no longer live in Cape Town, but I've had a couple of rides that were frankly scary. Unwelcome advances, pushing me for my number, constant comments on my appearance, creepy comments, saying they know where I live now. An example is a guy asking me "What is worse, adultery or murder?" and then expanding "but what if the adultery forced you to commit murder?" and laughed at my discomfort. I guess in isolation these don't seem so bad, but as a woman riding alone it's damn scary.
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u/derpferd 1d ago
What the actual fuck? Please tell me you reported this unspeakable piece of shit
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u/sofiaskat 1d ago
I did each time, and absolutely nothing happened. Pretty sure uber doesn't care at all.
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1d ago
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u/CommunicationFun9637 1d ago
I live in a security complex and have to leave fairly detailed instructions and these guys still call 9 out of 10 times
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1d ago
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u/Mystre316 1d ago
Some of them do. Some of them don't. Depends on the driver. I have a friend that lives in flat with their own entrance and most of the drivers deliver according to the delivery note I leave which is just 'big door to the right of the stairs'.
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u/Admirable_Pool_139 1d ago
Where I live there is a locked gate at the end of the road, the old Google maps would take you down there and ypu have to turn around, new maps are updated, yet Uber still gets stuck there 90% of the time despite my clear delivery instructions.
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u/TheGreatCheese 1d ago
Be the change you want to see. Add the locked gate to OpenStreetMaps. Uber doesn't always use Google Maps for routing.
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u/derpferd 1d ago
I can't speak to the danger of it but Uber does seem particularly shit of late.
I don't know if it's my area (coming and going) but drivers seem to take an absolute age to accept and often, they're like 7 to ten minutes out.
I don't know why this keeps happening lately, given that drivers would usually be 2 or 3 minutes away
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u/garyvdh 1d ago
I stopped using Uber Eats when I figured out that I was 25% more for my food rather than going to fetch it myself.
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u/Enduroboss 1d ago
Oath, Uber Eats has become a rip off. I fortunately got a voucher from work, but 1 x Slacker Burger(Triple stack admittedly) and 1 x regular Shoestring fries(crappy standard fries in fact) from Rocomama, and a 10% tip was R315. I earn decent money, but I refuse to pay that for 1 burger and chips. Don't think Im ever using Uber Eats again.
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u/redsh1ft 1d ago
yup , I've noticed that most of the time the driver shown on the app looks nothing like the guy who rocks up. nbd with eats but kinda sketchy with regular uber.
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u/MrsEntrail 1d ago
Sorry that this has been your experience. I must admit I've never really had much of a problem myself with Uber beyond the odd mediocre driver, but maybe I've been lucky and I've no doubt it's very different as a man. I'm afraid alternatives just don't exist for many of us.
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u/Key-Acanthocephala10 6h ago
You know, I don't understand how people who know an Uber or delivery is coming can just sit and not care and expect the driver to ring door bells and wait.
Whenever I order anything I'm watching the app and tracking for when they arrive so I can be outside or ready.
I've seen these drivers wait outside people's houses for up to 15 minutes before ringing bells. And honestly good! It's like people have no respect for their profession and expect them to go the extra mile.
If you want a delivery guy that will wait outside like a good lap dog then stick to 60/60. Those guys are trained to be courteous
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u/Lord_Schmalledemort 3h ago
I couldn't agree with you any more. You can see when they are about to arrive on the app why on earth wouldn't you go outside.
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u/Strange-Asparagus481 1d ago edited 19h ago
I don't use uber eats no more 1: they inflate the price of the food and i think the restaurants give less portions or make the quality kak. 2. The delivery guys.... I would often watch them and they go to a park ans chill then come to drop off the food. Uber is like buy one get one free but the food is litterally the same price as two... Like if you go to the eastern food place in long yhe wraps. Are 80 but on uber its buy one get ome free at R150... Like they takinh us for a gat and thinkinh we stupid. Also uber delivery take you for the biggest gat so many times i got a quote then the quote changed cus the driver used the longest route known to mankind and they also pull over the side of the road and do nothing, this happened the last time and i called and called and called with no answer, then at the end of the trip they put a huge charge in for waiting. Domt forget these guys are from other countries that want to make money here so thats all and dont care about and not doing a good job, also when you talk to them they will opnely say that. So as a result they get up to all kinds of stuff.
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u/DrAegonT 22h ago
I only use the Uber courier service, but I've also noticed a marked decline in the quality of service over the past year. Drivers unable to follow basic instructions, being unable to find locations despite the pin being at the exact address, starting the timer/wait period before even arriving, and worst of all, driver attitude.
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u/NEVERxxEVER 7h ago
Uber/Eats sucks. And by going anti customer and anti-restaurant with wildly increased fees (remember they charge the restaurant 30% on top of all the fees they charge you, and close to R8K to sign up) and taking away any semblance of customer support — they have increased their profits by 34% IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. Evil company
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u/Lord_Schmalledemort 3h ago
I only use bolt most of the drivers are South African, cars tend to be nicer, they earn more and it's cheaper to me as a customer. Uber are wankers.
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u/Jaded-Pineapple-5212 1d ago
Just came from X where a lot of other people are complaining about Uber as well. Seems to be a trend...
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u/chikaca 1d ago
Use the Record My Ride feature on Uber, the driver will know that he is being recorded and this will help them behave better.