There Need To Be More Women Drivers, Not Just For Empowerment But Because They Are A Necessity

As a frequent traveler in cabs and bike services like Uber, Rapido and Ola, sharing your location with your known ones is literally a habit now. What was once a mode of convenience has somehow turned into a anxious journey till the moment you are dropped home safe. Constant vigilance, looking out for known street names and hearing everything the driver speaks when picks up a call is not an exaggeration women travellers go through while travelling. The unsettling reality of traveling in public transportation is a grim picture of the environment, we as women, function in.

In the latest report ‘Riding the Justice Route’, Greenpeace India conducted a survey revealing over 75 percent of women felt unsafe commuting in Delhi buses after dark.This is just one of the prime factors that push women to opt for cabs and bike services like Uber, Rapido, and Ola, spending considerably extra amount even when free bus services and cheap metro rides are available. While the convenience is unparalleled, there is no promise of safety. For women, riding with strangers, especially male bikers doesn’t always feel safe. The physical closeness, the lack of control, and in some cases, the overstepping of boundaries turn a simple commute into a source of anxiety. At times like these, I have even found myself in need of a woman driver, and along with me, I believe countless women feel the same.

Last year, Rapido launched its ‘Bike Pink’ services in Chennai, where women riders will have the option to book rides offered by women captains. As a part of the initiative, it provided 25 electric bikes for women facing financial challenges. It also aimed to equip them with the necessary training and driving skills by partnering with the nearby NGOs. The step was much applauded since it empowered the women to take up jobs as well as ensured the safety of women riders who wanted last-mile connectivity. But sadly, the initiative hasn’t scaled to more cities, which need it more than before.

The ‘Bike Pink’ is now an increasing necessity for every city, especially when a male-dominated field like transport is turning frightful. Women have recounted many experiences, where male drivers have been found passing inappropriate remarks and uncomfortable attempts at contact. There are instances where drivers have been found loitering around the house or sending unsolicited messages on the personal contact numbers derived from the apps. These actions go beyond unprofessionalism – they contribute to a hostile environment that deters many women from using these services and therefore restricts their freedom.

Reading these incidents points towards one thing only, the idea of a women-only cab or bike driver isn’t just an initiative. Pink rides, designed with women in mind, will allow women to travel without the constant worry of unwanted and invasive behavior. The financial cost of avoiding harassment is already high, and safety shouldn’t come at an additional price.

Imagining a world where women don’t have to weigh their personal safety against such basic services is a distant dream, but Pink Rides offers hope. Until we as a society find a way to mend our ways to ensure universal safety, Pink Rides can be a small contribution to the unrestricted mobility.