Viral Video: A late-night cab ride in Pune has sparked widespread discussion on social media after a driver allegedly asked three women passengers to allow his male friend to travel with them midway through the journey. The passengers refused, saying they had booked a private cab and should not be expected to share the ride with a stranger. The incident, captured on video, has raised fresh concerns about passenger safety and professional conduct during app-based taxi rides. 

What Happened During the Ride?

According to the viral video, the cab driver stopped the vehicle in the middle of the trip and requested the women to "adjust" so that his friend could travel with them for about one kilometre.

Three girls were travelling in a cab at night in Pune. Midway, the driver asked them to adjust for his friend.

GIRLS: You should’ve told us before. We would’ve booked another cab. Why should we adjust?

DRIVER: It’s just 1km. I don’t have enough CNG to come back. If you don’t… pic.twitter.com/7qiSJ0RYmT

— Lakshay Mehta (@lakshaymehta08) July 15, 2026

When the passengers questioned why they had not been informed before the ride began, the driver reportedly repeated his request, saying it would only be for a short distance.

The women declined, explaining that they had booked a private cab and did not want an unknown person joining the journey without their consent. 

Driver Cited Low CNG as the Reason

During the conversation, the driver claimed that:

• He had very little CNG left in the vehicle.

• He did not have enough fuel to drop off his passengers first and then return to pick up his friend.

• His friend only needed to travel around one kilometre.

One of the passengers questioned whether the fare would be reduced or whether the driver's friend would pay for the ride. The driver reportedly responded that he would not charge his friend. 

Passengers Refused to Compromise

The women maintained that:

• They had booked an exclusive cab service.

• They should not be expected to share their ride with an unknown individual.

• If the driver had planned to pick up someone else, he should have informed them before the journey started.

The exchange continued for several minutes, after which the driver was seen speaking to a man waiting outside the vehicle. 

Video Shared on X

The incident came to public attention after an X user, Lakshay Mehta, shared the video online. The clip quickly went viral, attracting thousands of views and generating widespread discussion about passenger safety and the responsibilities of app-based cab drivers. 

Social Media Reacts

Many users supported the passengers, arguing that:

• A driver should not allow an unknown person into a privately booked cab without the passengers' consent.

• The request was particularly concerning because the passengers were women travelling late at night.

• Such incidents should be reported to the cab aggregator and, if necessary, to the police.

Several commenters also said that passenger safety should always take priority over a driver's personal convenience. 

Safety Tips for Cab Passengers

If you ever feel uncomfortable during a cab ride:

• Do not allow an unknown person to join your ride without your consent.

• Share your live trip details with a trusted family member or friend.

• Use the emergency or SOS feature available in the cab app if needed.

• Report inappropriate behaviour through the cab platform's support system.

• If you feel threatened or unsafe, contact local police or emergency services immediately.

The viral incident has once again highlighted the importance of clear safety protocols and the need for both drivers and passengers to follow established ride-hailing guidelines.