Uber driver’s GPS issue

Ana Esguerra
Jul 21, 2017 · 2 min read

Can’t help but notice my posts here. If not about programming, it’s about Uber or Waze. What can I do, I always use Uber when I go to work :))

The way most of developers and/or programmers mind works when they see something techie is, they think how an object and/or an application and/or a tool was done and how it was created. I don’t know why the hell we analyze these things most of the time, even though we’re just sitting in the toilet, showering, lying in our beds, walking while our faces are looking down. I don’t know.

So 2 days ago, it was just a normal day. I booked an UberPool. It costs P136. After a little while another rider booked as well. It’s quite weird because her pick-up place was out of route to our destination. Not only that, her destination was also way out of where I’m supposed to go.

I’m a little irritated because back then I was reading an article about Uber, saying when you use UberPool, it does heavy data analysis and tries to connect riders that heads on the same destination. What happened back then was quite opposite. It’s almost an hour ride due to heavy traffic and out-of-way routes (BTW, the distance from my home to work is just 5–6 kilometers and it only takes 15 mins). And then, Uber charged my a wooping P336.

I quickly mailed Uber about this matter, and with just a few minutes they replied back to me, adjusted my fare to the upfront fare, and explained the situation (Oh I love them. Thank you very much for the quick response Uber).

“Your earlier fare reflected a GPS issue with your driver’s app. This explains why the map in your receipt may have looked inaccurate.” — he said

Hmmm okay..So, if ever the driver has poor internet connection, or his phone got an issue, you’ll also have a high chance of having a problem as well? I don’t know.

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Ana Esguerra

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Data Engineer working on big data