Return to the forest, chase and promo code for 350 rubles
Anna Poltavskaya from Moscow has not traveled alone in a taxi for three years. After a late-night ride she ended up in the wrong place, far from her destination.
“There was no side road, the car moved away from the planned route. I told the driver he was not taking the right path, and Anna said the driver was simply delayed,” she recalls.
She noted that the driver struggled to stop and spoke with limited Russian, making it hard to understand him. The traveler could only say that everything was fine, but that reassurance did not come. She began texting friends, and as she tried to share the journey details, the connection kept dropping.
“There was a forest outside the window, and the ride felt like it should not exist at all. Fear rose, and a lump formed in my throat. I ducked into a seat and froze, trying to figure out what to do next. Distant houses appeared along the road. In the moment, she reached for the door handle and jumped out, grateful the doors were not locked.”
She ran hard, gasping for air, and when she turned toward the nearest house she saw the taxi driver running after her. Strength somehow surged, and she shouted for help, recalling safety lessons from school. She finally reached a house, slammed the door, and collapsed in tears on the floor.
The elderly homeowners offered tea and comfort. She explained the situation and called her father to pick her up. The driver, it seemed, drifted behind and did not greet the homeowners at the door. It appeared he realized he could not reach her and decided to retreat, she says.
In the aftermath, she did not report the incident to the police, believing there would be little support. That same morning she did contact the taxi dispatcher and described the event in detail.
“The dispatcher suggested I probably misunderstood what happened. As a gesture for the fear, they issued a 350 ruble promo code for the next ride. I wonder how this would be viewed by a daughter, sister, or wife of the dispatcher who answered me. Would they receive a promo code to overlook such fear? That question stays with me,” Poltavskaya notes.
“He kicked the door and shouted something in his own language”
Two months earlier, Daria Safronova faced a troubling driver during a late trip to a village near Moscow. Midway through the ride the driver began asking personal questions about her living situation and family.
“I answered calmly and clearly. He claimed the family was large and all lived together, but the route remained fixed and the ride continued. I called a friend to stay on the line, giving him updates about my location and what was happening,” she says.
Safronova stopped speaking to the friend only when she reached the house. Her parents were asleep at home, and a loud noise soon followed from the street. The driver pounded on the door, shouting, while the lights were off and no one greeted her. She insists there was no one else in the house to help.
When the driver finally left, Safronova checked the footage from nearby cameras and realized he had remained at the house after she arrived. She sought answers and shared the experience with the dispatcher, who promised to address the driver’s behavior. As an apology, she received a 300 ruble promo credit.
Beaten and assaulted while asleep
Years ago, a high school student named Lidia Nikolaeva faced a brutal assault after a taxi ride. The night started with friends inviting her for a drink and a ride home. The driver, paid in advance, offered to look after her as she slept after becoming intoxicated.
She woke to find herself being assaulted and moved from the car to her own doorway. The injury left visible marks the next day, and she returned to bed, exhausted and shaken. Her mother later noticed the damage when visiting the residence. Nikolaeva chose not to report the incident to the authorities.
“You need a man, not a smelly infection dealer”
In another incident, a Moscow resident, Tatyana Razina, rode with a driver who criticized her animal companion. The driver claimed women were meant to give birth and mocked Razina for keeping a small pet in a carrier on her lap. He implied that only a real man, not someone with an animal, would be of value.
The driver suggested Razina should abandon the animals, arguing that a dowry of a pet would not attract interest. She eventually asked him to stop sharing his views. After leaving feedback, Razina received a 150 ruble promo code as compensation.
How to stay safe in a taxi
Experts offer practical advice for safer taxi experiences. A common recommendation is to sit in the back seat to maintain control and remain calm. Stay brief in conversations with the driver and avoid sharing sensitive personal information. If questions feel intrusive, answer in a way that reduces risk while still being polite. It is wise not to reveal excessive personal or financial details and to confirm the rider is expected at the destination.
Taking a screenshot of the driver’s name and vehicle number within the app is a smart move. If possible, share the route with a trusted friend or family member. If the driver seems suspicious, consider calling for help or pretending to locate someone while providing an exact location. Having the driver’s name visible often prompts better behavior from the driver. Inform a friend about who is driving and where the ride is headed in real time. Let them know the itinerary has been shared and the destination ahead of time, especially if the route appears off course.
If the driver becomes rude or threatening, respond firmly with a calm request to stop or to let the rider out. A blunt, unexpected request can disrupt the attacker’s momentum and create an opportunity to exit. In dangerous moments, claiming illness is a widely advised tactic since a sick passenger may compel the driver to stop the vehicle in a public area where others can assist. These recommendations align with safety guidelines issued by mental health and safety professionals.