A Gurugram resident recently took to LinkedIn to express her frustration over the high cost of Uber Pets, a service that allows passengers to travel with their pets. While the feature offers convenience, she was shocked to find that a 2 km ride cost Rs 530, over five times the standard Uber fare of Rs 100. This drastic difference left her wondering whether the service is truly meant to be accessible or if it is being marketed as a luxury.

Pet Travel or Luxury Service?

In her viral post, she wrote, “I was booking an Uber the other day and noticed their new feature, Uber Pets. It allows riders to bring their pets along. Sounds great, right? But then I checked the price. A regular Uber costs Rs 100 for a 2 km ride, while Uber Pets costs Rs 530. That’s 5.3 times the price—just to have your pet with you! Meanwhile, my local auto driver charges Rs 60 and even gives my dog some belly rubs.”

She further questioned, “If Uber Pets is about accessibility, why does it feel like a luxury service? What justifies such a massive price jump? Is it extra cleaning fees? A premium charge for pet-friendly drivers? Or just another way to take more money from pet owners?”

Social Media Reactions

The post quickly gained traction, sparking discussions among pet owners and frequent Uber users. One user suggested a workaround, saying, “Just book a regular Uber and inform the driver that you have a pet. Most drivers won’t mind as long as you keep things clean.”

Another user pointed out a potential business opportunity, writing, “This is an open market! Someone should launch an affordable pet-friendly ride service. If not, at least competition might push Uber to lower its prices.”

Some speculated that Uber introduced the pricing model to tap into a growing trend. “More Indians are choosing pets over kids, so companies see a business opportunity. Maybe Uber Pets is just a way to profit from this shift,” one comment read.

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Others questioned the reasoning behind the high fares. “If it’s about cleaning fees, wouldn’t a refundable deposit make more sense? And if it’s for pet-friendly drivers, does that mean regular Uber drivers can refuse pets even if they’re well-behaved?” asked another user.

Uber’s Official Stance on Pricing

According to Uber’s official website, Uber Pet rides cost more than standard trips because passengers are traveling with their pets. The company also states that if a pet sheds excessively, makes a mess, or damages the vehicle, the passenger may be charged an additional cleaning fee.

Despite these clarifications, many pet owners remain unhappy with the pricing, arguing that pet-friendly services should be more affordable and not treated as a luxury.

While Uber Pets provides a much-needed service for pet owners, the steep pricing has raised concerns about its accessibility. As discussions continue online, many hope that Uber will reconsider its pricing strategy or introduce more budget-friendly options. Until then, pet parents will have to weigh the convenience against the cost.