A Ryde passenger\u2019s attempt to pay for her ride with PayNow ended in a nearly hour-long standoff after the driver allegedly refused to accept the payment and locked the car doors until police arrived. <\/p>\n
Ms Wang (transliterated), a 53-year-old freelancer, told Shin Min Daily News<\/a> that she booked a private hire ride via the Ryde platform from Fajar Shopping Centre in Bukit Panjang to Chinatown on the evening of March 28, selecting cash payment through the app.<\/p>\n \u201cThe driver was 15 minutes late. I was almost late for work, and when I messaged him, he didn\u2019t reply. During the ride, he drove extremely slowly. A journey that normally takes about 30 minutes ended up taking an hour,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She added that the driver, a man in his 60s, drove with one hand on the steering wheel and was unable to locate her drop-off point. <\/p>\n \u201cThe drop-off point I indicated was Club Street, but he stopped at Amoy Street and told me we had arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n In a rush to get to work, Ms Wang said she indicated she would pay the fare, which amounted to $24, via PayNow. <\/p>\n However, the driver claimed he had forgotten the mobile number linked to his PayNow account and insisted on cash. He allegedly locked the car doors and refused to let her alight.<\/p>\n \u201cI told him I wasn\u2019t refusing to pay, just that I didn\u2019t have cash. But he said he would report me for fare evasion and kept me in the car,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Both parties called the police. When officers arrived and mediated the situation, the driver accepted payment via PayNow after nearly an hour.<\/p>\n Photos provided by Ms Wang show the driver standing next to a Honda sedan with two police officers at the scene.<\/p>\n Ms Wang said she was unable to go to work that day. She added that the police later found that the driver did have a PayNow account, leaving her confused.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand why he refused at first. At one point he even suggested I just pay $10, but I paid the full fare,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She added that on previous bookings through the platform, she had selected \u201ccash payment\u201d but paid via PayNow, and most drivers accepted it without issue.<\/p>\n In response to Stomp\u2019s queries, a Ryde spokesperson said that the driver has been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.<\/p>\n The representative added that fares should follow the selected booking method, but mismatches in payment expectations should be handled reasonably.<\/p>\n Other private hire drivers told Shin Min they typically accept both cash and PayNow.<\/p>\n Mr Wong (transliterated), 56, said: \u201cJust make sure both parties agree and the fare goes through.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Zeng (transliterated), 55, said he also accepts both payment methods but understands why some drivers prefer cash. <\/p>\n \u201cThese days, you never know. Some passengers promise PayNow but don\u2019t transfer, or even leave without paying. By the time we check the transfer, they\u2019re already gone.\u201d<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note: This story has been updated with a statement from Ryde.<\/em><\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\nDriver refuses to accept PayNow payment<\/h2>\n
Police called to mediate<\/h2>\n
Driver had PayNow account<\/h2>\n
Other drivers generally accept PayNow<\/h2>\n
![\"Stomp](\"https:\/\/www.stomp.sg\/assets\/stomp-comment-COLiWNMD.png\")
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