Uber moves to improve passenger safety
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Version 0 of 1. Uber is taking steps to improve passenger safety following allegations of rape against a driver in India and mounting concerns about background checks. Phil Cardenas, head of safety, said the company was implementing a new global code of conduct and setting up “incident response teams” worldwide to reassure riders in the wake of several high-profile incidents. Cardenas said in a blog post: “With more than a million rides per day in 295 cities and 55 countries, continually improving rider and driver safety is the most critical component of what we do.” The announcement came after authorities ordered Uber and its Indian rival Ola off the road in New Delhi in December after an Uber drivers was charged with raping a passenger. In other cities where Uber operates, critics had complained that a lack of regulation and background checks for drivers could endanger passengers. Cardenas said his team had called for new safety measures after an internal review in consultation with external experts. Related: Uber pledges to sign up 1 million female drivers worldwide by 2020 Uber’s new code of conduct requires all drivers to comply with local laws and regulations, and to avoid using alcohol or illegal drugs in the vehicles. The company also plans to set up a global safety advisory board to review its policies and employ off-duty police officers to audit safety measures. Another new measure will be “incident response teams” to deal with problems around the clock for “those critical moments when a rapid resolution is needed”. Cardenas also said that Uber would be working to improve its background checks and to collaborate more closely with law enforcement as needed, including providing GPS coordinates when crimes are reported. In India, Uber last month said it was launching an SOS button and other safety features for users in the country within its app to allow passengers to call police in an emergency. A Send Status also allows users to inform people of their exact location while riding with Uber. The company is also working with Safetipin to help measure city safety in New Delhi – an initiative that will soon be extended to Bogota, Nairobi and Jakarta. “We intend to make these and other new features available in the coming months elsewhere,” Cardenas said. Uber has expanded rapidly in the past few years as its valuation soared to more than $40bn (£27bn), but it has faced hurdles from regulators in many locations and protests from traditional taxi services. |