BENGALURU: For millions of daily commuters in Bengaluru, bike-taxi aggregators like Rapido have become an indispensable service, offering a quick and relatively inexpensive way to navigate the city’s notorious traffic. However, for many women, the convenience of a door-to-door ride comes with concerns about personal safety, a reality brought into focus by a recent incident shared by a Bengaluru commuter.
A ride marked by discomfort
The incident, which took place on the evening of October 15, began even before the journey started. Hesitant to proceed with the ride because of the rain, the passenger said she was repeatedly urged by the assigned rider, identified as Syed Tousif Z, not to cancel the booking.Once on the road, the situation reportedly escalated from a routine commute to an unsettling experience. According to the passenger’s account, the rider attempted to engage in conversation and offered her a raincoat. He also repeatedly asked, “Are you comfortable?” four times, despite her having earphones plugged in.After dropping the passenger near her residential society, the situation took a more disturbing turn. As she returned the helmet, the rider allegedly grabbed and held her hand for several seconds, an act she described as creepy and predatory.Shaken by the encounter, the commuter took to social media to express her frustration and question Rapido’s safety accountability.In response to her complaint, the company said: “We have noted your issue. Please allow some time so that we can review it properly and provide you with the best resolution.”The response raised questions about how promptly and effectively ride-hailing platforms address complaints of alleged harassment involving their riders.The post soon gained traction online, drawing the attention of Bengaluru City Police. Police officials contacted the woman and asked her to share the complete details of the incident for a formal investigation.
