The ride-hailing app had been facing a driver shortage

For months, the popular ride-hailing app had been grappling with a severe driver shortage, a critical issue that translated directly into a degraded user experience for passengers. Customers routinely faced significantly longer wait times, often accompanied by frustrating surge pricing even during off-peak hours, as the dwindling pool of available drivers struggled to meet demand. Cancellations became more frequent, and the once-reliable convenience the app promised was quickly eroding, leading to widespread user frustration and a noticeable dip in public satisfaction. Internally, the company was scrambling to understand and address the exodus, recognizing the severe damage being done to its reputation and market share as drivers sought more lucrative or stable opportunities elsewhere.