Uber hasn’t proven to be a safer alternative to taxis that some female travelers had hoped for.
Newsweek reports that a female passenger using the taxi app in London complained to Uber about a driver sexually harassing her.
According to Newsweek, the company’s marketing manager followed up the incident with the woman, saying they were investigating and sent her £20 in credit to be redeemed for her next Uber rides.
The woman said she felt “uncomfortable” but wouldn’t be taking it further, adding: “I do implore you to take this quite seriously as I worry for other women who could find themselves in a similar situation.”
On its website, Uber says: “From the moment you request a ride to the moment you arrive, the Uber experience has been designed from the ground up with your safety in mind.” The company also claims that it screens drivers “through a rigorous process”.
The app, which allows you to “request, ride, and pay via your mobile phone”, has proven popular among Australians”. Once you download the app, you can choose from a range of Uber services, including UberX, which has also become increasingly common because it allows basically anyone with a vehicle to become a taxi driver.
They simply use their smartphone to pick up passengers, drive them to their destination and collect a fare. The appeal for travellers is that it claims to be much cheaper than a normal taxi fare, but it’s still considered illegal here.
Last week, a male Uber taxi driver in India was detained, accused of raping a female passenger in Delhi.
The city’s transport department has since banned all unregistered internet taxi firms.
