Travelling in an app-based cab has changed the dynamics of transportation in the national Capital. To ensure safe cab ride for the women commuters in Delhi, Uber has installed a “panic” button near the rear seat in their cabs. However, a few passengers who regularly use the Uber cab services told The Pioneer that the panic Button was found to be dysfunctional.
At a time when incidents of molestation, harassment towards women by private cab drivers has been increasing in Delhi, the installation of Panic buttons in the cabs by the private cab operators is just an eye-wash.
Radhika Das, a 25-year-old girl and working with a financial company in Gurugram who often uses App-based services such as Uber, “I had gone to Puducherry with my friends in December for a short trip. Once I arrived at the Delhi airport, I booked an Uber cab from IGIA to Dwarka. I found that there was a red button installed in the panel between the two windows. I asked the driver about its use to which he non-challantly replied, “I have switched off the button from the main switch board in the vehicle.” Shocked at the real use of the PANIC Button, I switched to the app in my phone to keep an eye on the route taken by the Uber driver,” added Das.
Ashima Walia, a 27-year-old Software Engineer with a private firm in Noida, said, “I often use cab services of Uber and Ola. Although there is a safety button in the Uber application, I have found that there is indeed a red button near the seat.”
So far, I have not found in myself in a situation where I have to use the button. However, if the button is there and does not work, then what is the point to install itIJ” questioned Ashima.
In a reply to the questions mailed by The Pioneer about the passenger safety, Uber India said, “We believe that technologies like Uber provide a good opportunity to improve safety of riders and driver partners in new and innovative ways-before, during and after every ride. For riders, we have incorporated several innovative safety features in the app to ensure a safe, reliable and convenient travel from point A to point B. These include the call masking feature, the ability to see your driver’s details in advance, GPS tracking, ‘share my journey’ and the emergency button which connects you directly to the police control room and an internal response team.”
To this, the Police Control Room (PCR) of the Delhi Police said that they have never received any communication about the link between PCR and the emergency button used by Uber.
RK Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (PCR), said, “The PCR unit is not in touch with any private cab operator about setting up a helpline to address distress calls.”
Another regular cab user, Shikha Sharma said, “I usually rely on the GPS map once I book the cab from my workplace to home. In fact, I have never noticed any PANIC button in the cab.”