A group of South African women has launched an all-female e-hailing taxi platform that aims to address the unique safety issues experienced by women and girls during their daily commutes.
Technology and smartphone apps have changed the way most passengers access taxi services, with the e-hailing taxi services industry becoming a major player in public transport.
E-hailing is a service provided to book public transport services through electronic applications such as Uber, Bolt and Lyft.
However, despite being very convenient, well-regulated and safe, the e-hailing taxi industry has lately fallen victim to criminals who attacks drivers and passengers.
To get around this problem, a group of South African women has created Kgosigadi Rides to provide a safe and empowering transportation option for women around the country.
Kgosigadi Rides chief executive Tilly Legodi said on Sunday that the idea of an all-female e-hailing platform was mooted following a recent spike in crime, particularly involving women who have been victims while using ride-sharing applications.
The crimes include robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping, she said.
“As the name implies, Kgosigadi, which translates to “Queen” in the Setswana language, we prioritize the comfort, security, and empowerment of our female users,” Legodi said.
She added: “Our platform connects female drivers with female passengers, ensuring a secure and trustworthy experience for all. We believe in fostering a community of trust and support, where women can feel confident and at ease during their journeys.”
She revealed that the platform employs state-of-the-art technology that enables it to access the identity card information held at the Department of Home Affairs to to carry out comprehensive background checks on all users.
“We utilize South African ID verification to authenticate the gender of individuals registering on our platform. Furthermore, our comprehensive background checks on drivers provide an added layer of assurance for both passengers and drivers alike.”
This rigorous verification process not only verifies the identity of both drivers and passengers but also confirms their status as South African female citizens.
She said e-hailing taxi services had hitherto provided inadequate safety measures to protect women and girls.
JN/APA