Uber assures driver safety from errant riders
Uber now rates passengers to ensure safety of its drivers and has updated its guidelines on how both parties need to respect each other for a good riding experience.
Safety is a key factor in travelling with a stranger and in this respect Uber has taken several measures to ensure the safety of their drivers and riders.
If a rider does not behave appropriately with the driver then they get to be rated and those passengers whose ratings are poor might have to wait for a longer period before joining a ride or repeated offenders could be removed from the app, Uber Lead Sri Lanka Ankit Gupta said at an interview with the Business Times on Wednesday.
The updated community guidelines will state how riders should behave to enjoy their ride and that they need to act respectably.
This is a two-way process in that not only should the drivers show respect to the riders but vice versa as well, it was noted.
Uber explained how there had been instances when passengers in Sri Lanka had demanded that after leaving their personal items behind in the vehicle would demand that the driver return these immediately even though the driver is far from the location. In addition, drunk passengers have also created problems for drivers when going back home.
The code of conduct is indicated to the riders using this app and it is important that their ratings must not be poor, else they could end up being moved out of the app altogether by the company, he said.
Though ratings are not compulsory, it is strongly recommended since it could create a healthy relationship and a pointer to the next driver or rider using that service.
Another added feature for the Uber service is the live tracking service that lets others track where you are travelling to ensure your loved ones know where you are.
Mr. Gupta noted that women drivers use this functionality to keep their families posted when they are out and this new feature is to go live from April 10.
In addition, an emergency button is provided on the app to allow the driver or rider to call the police 119 in case of an emergency that would ensure the relevant authorities and medical personnel would be able to visit the location.
Mr. Gupta explained that while they also have an emergency response team, however, based on experience in other countries as well it has been found that contacting the relevant national authorities for help was the best policy to adopt.