Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has announced a partnership between the city, taxi associations, and e-hailing companies to improve women's safety in public transport. This initiative aims to address growing concerns over gender-based violence. Morero made the announcement at the Johannesburg Mayoral Lecture at Soweto Theatre on Sunday, September 20. The partnership will involve collaboration with the taxi industry and e-hailing services to create a safer environment for women using public transport.
The partnership will extend to e-hailing services, which have become a concern due to crimes occurring during trips. Morero emphasized that the city's approach will go beyond infrastructure, with safety expected to form part of its service-delivery programmes. The city's goal is to become the "eyes and ears" of the police and communities, making dark spaces safe for women. This initiative follows recent incidents, including the deaths of nine women in Ekurhuleni, with three suspects appearing in court on Monday.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Greater Johannesburg spokesperson Sabata Mbobo stated that the taxi industry is working with the city and has begun training drivers and queue marshals in public relations and customer care. SANTACO has condemned any form of gender-based violence and respects all women. The organization has identified issues needing urgent attention, including safer ranks, adequate lighting, and access to safe toilets.
E-hailing service Bolt has implemented various safety measures, including an in-app panic button, live location and trip sharing, Ride Check monitoring, pick-up codes, and a safety map for high-risk areas. Eligible female passengers can use Bolt's Women for Women category to request rides from women driver-partners. Bolt takes serious complaints against drivers seriously, treating them as a priority, and drivers can be blocked from the platform while investigations are ongoing.
Bolt engages with the city and organizations to share safety information, identify high-risk areas, and strengthen responses to threats facing commuters. The company conducts thorough internal reviews of complaints, using available system data, including trip records. This collaboration aims to enhance women's safety in public transport and address concerns over gender-based violence.
Johannesburg's initiative to improve women's safety in public transport is a significant step towards addressing the growing concerns over gender-based violence. The partnership between the city, taxi associations, and e-hailing companies demonstrates a commitment to creating a safer environment for women. By working together, these stakeholders aim to make public transport safer and more secure for women.
The partnership's success will depend on effective implementation and collaboration between stakeholders. The city's approach will focus on making dark spaces safe for women and addressing issues such as inadequate lighting and access to safe toilets. With SANTACO and Bolt on board, the initiative has the potential to make a significant impact on women's safety in public transport.
Key points
- Johannesburg partners with taxi associations and e-hailing companies to improve women's safety in public transport.
- The partnership aims to address growing concerns over gender-based violence.
- E-hailing service Bolt has implemented various safety measures, including an in-app panic button and live location sharing.
