Paige Skye, a 26-year-old beautician from Stratford, East London, claims an Uber driver demanded extra payment to turn on the air conditioning during a sweltering 33-degree Celsius day. The incident occurred on Bank Holiday Monday as she and three others were heading to the City Splash festival in Brixton.
Passenger's Account
Paige booked an Uber X for the short £10 journey. She said the windows were down when they entered the car at 6:35 PM. When she asked the driver to turn on the AC, he allegedly replied that they would have to pay extra or should have booked an Uber Comfort instead. After a heated exchange, the driver pretended to activate the AC but actually shut all windows, making the car feel like a sauna. Paige then lowered her window for the rest of the trip. She also claims the driver dropped them off at the wrong location.
Uber's Response
Uber commented on Paige's viral TikTok video, which has over 200,000 views, stating: 'You should not be asked to pay extra for AC during trips.' The company asked her to DM her account details for investigation. An Uber spokesperson confirmed they responded directly to Paige.
Public Reaction
The video sparked debate on TikTok. Some users agreed with Paige, calling it a policy violation and urging a complaint. Others defended the driver, suggesting that passengers who want AC should book Uber Comfort or Executive. One commenter wrote: 'If you want AC, you should have gone for Uber Comfort.' Another countered: 'He's punishing himself too.'
Passenger's Concerns
Paige argued that drivers do not charge extra for heating in cold weather, so AC should be no different. She noted that the heat could pose a health hazard for passengers with asthma or claustrophobia. 'It felt like you couldn't breathe,' she said. 'I can't believe he wanted to charge people for AC.'
Driver's Perspective
While the driver's identity is unknown, some commenters supported his stance, citing the cost of running AC. However, Paige's cousin is filing a formal complaint. Uber policy states that drivers should not request additional payment for AC during trips.
