A simple mistake while booking a cab has ignited a widespread online discussion about the transparency and logic behind ride-hailing pricing algorithms in India. The incident, shared by an X user known as The Kaipullai, involved an accidental booking for an incredibly short trip that still came with a surprisingly high fare.
The Accidental 100-Foot Uber Journey
The episode began when the user booked an Uber after exiting a metro station. In a moment of haste or error, he selected the same metro station as his drop-off point instead of his actual home address. The pickup and destination were, therefore, barely 100 feet apart. The rider only realized the mistake after he had already gotten into the cab.
Fortunately, the Uber driver noticed the discrepancy quickly. The driver graciously cancelled the ride, saving the passenger from a pointless trip. However, the focal point of the story became the fare that the Uber app had calculated for this minuscule journey.
The Viral Fare: From Rs 160 to Rs 118
Despite the negligible distance, the Uber app displayed a concrete fare. According to the user's post on January 6, 2026, the app initially showed a charge of Rs 160. It then reportedly revised the amount down to Rs 118. "For travelling about 100 ft," the user remarked, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. This detail is what propelled the post to go viral, amassing significant attention and comments.
The post served as a catalyst, moving the conversation beyond a single user's error to a broader scrutiny of how cab platforms determine costs for very short rides. Many users questioned the minimum fare structure and the algorithms that govern dynamic pricing.
Social Media Reacts: Debate Over Fairness and Alternatives
The viral post sparked a flurry of reactions, with the online community divided on several aspects. Some users criticized the driver's action, suggesting he should have instructed the passenger to simply update the destination in the app instead of cancelling. "You can change the destination. Selected a similar sounding destination, the driver told me to change the destination, and it worked," one user commented, pointing out a potential solution.
Others defended the platform's need to have a cancellation policy that partially compensates the driver for their time and effort, even for a mistaken booking. A third perspective emerged, questioning the fundamental pricing model. The incident laid bare user confusion and curiosity about what goes into fare calculation—base fare, time, distance, and other surcharges—especially when the distance component is almost zero.
This viral moment underscores a common urban experience in Indian cities, where the convenience of app-based cabs is sometimes marred by opaque pricing and unexpected charges. It has prompted riders to be more vigilant while confirming their destination and to better understand the fare breakdown provided by these platforms.
