Congested buses and trains have always been a problem. However, in the last few years, India has seen the rise of app-based taxis which revolutionized transportation in the bustling city. As a handy alternative, regular travelers have made using app-based taxis like Ola and Uber part of their daily routine during the past five years. These services offer great transit choices. However, they are also loaded with a lot of problems.
Unfortunately, there have been occasions when consumers’ trips using these ride-hailing services ended up being disturbing. Many of these situations include differences between the cab companies’ advertised services and what the clients actually experience, which causes annoyance and aggravation.
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Apart from this, the rise in crime, particularly against women, linked to app-based cab services is more concerning. Police files have been overflowing with reports of upsetting situations that happened on routine taxi rides. While it highlights the urgent need for better passenger safety measures, it unfortunately become more and more frequent now.
The urgent need has recently been further underscored by a disturbing event in Bengaluru involving a Rapido bike driver. The woman said that the driver acted inappropriately by masturbating while she was a pillion rider. The news has distressed the whole social media and netizens’ anger erupted over it.
Bengaluru woman exposes disturbing sexual harassment incident with Rapido bike taxi driver
Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, recently witnessed another upsetting event involving a Rapido bike taxi driver. Athira Purushothaman, a local woman, recently came out with charges of sexual harassment. She tweeted screenshots of the improper messages the driver had sent her after the encounter.
Purushothaman claims that when returning from a demonstration against violence in Manipur, she was shocked to see the driver acting inappropriately, including masturbating while riding the bike in a remote region. On Twitter, she wrote,
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Thread 🧵 #SexualHarassement. Today, I went for the Manipur Violence protest at Town Hall Bangalore and booked a @rapidobikeapp auto for my way back home. However, multiple auto cancellations led me to opt for a bike instead
Thread 🧵#SexualHarassement
Today, I went for the Manipur Violence protest at Town Hall Bangalore and booked a @rapidobikeapp auto for my way back home. However, multiple auto cancellations led me to opt for a bike instead. pic.twitter.com/bQkw4i7NvO— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
She asked to be dropped off close to her home in an effort to maintain her privacy. She tweeted,
During the journey, we reached a remote area with no other vehicles around. Shockingly, the driver began riding with one hand and engaging in inappropriate behavior (Masturbating while riding the bike). Fearing for my safety, I remained silent throughout the ordeal.
— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
However, her ordeal did not end there. The driver relentlessly called and messaged her on WhatsApp, causing immense distress. He sent her kissing emoticons along with the words “love you” and a heart emoji.
She tweeted using the hashtag “#Rapido” and urged the company to fix the problem and verify all of its drivers
@rapidobikeapp, what measures are you taking for background verification? Your users’ safety should be a top priority. Please ensure that people registered with your service can be trusted for a safe travel experience. He keeps calling me from different numbers even now!
— Athira Purushothaman (@Aadhi_02) July 21, 2023
Bengaluru police finally reacted to the incident
The incident has been reported to the Bengaluru City Police, and the S.J. Park Police Station has been entrusted with taking the appropriate action. The official Twitter account of Bengaluru City Police said,
We have informed to @sjparkps to take necessary action in this regard, Please DM your contact number.
We have informed to @sjparkps to take necessary action in this regard, Please DM your contact number.
— ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ BengaluruCityPolice (@BlrCityPolice) July 21, 2023
These incidents show how urgently necessary it is for ride-hailing companies like Rapido to prioritize passenger safety. They must also implement efficient protocols to prevent such misconduct. To protect the safety and well-being of passengers, thorough background checks and adequate training for drivers are required, and the general public’s safety should come first.
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