A Delhi-based woman, Shazia A., recently shared a disturbing account of her experience during an Ola cab ride to Gurugram, raising serious concerns about passenger safety in ride-hailing services. The incident allegedly occurred on December 20 at approximately 1:30 PM IST when the driver stopped the vehicle at the behest of five men, leaving Shazia feeling threatened and unsafe. Despite her attempts to use the SOS feature on the Ola app, it reportedly failed to function at a critical moment. Shazia has since called for immediate action from Ola’s CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal, to address the situation.
A Terrifying Ordeal
Shazia, a senior manager at Genpact, detailed her frightening experience in a LinkedIn post that has since gone viral. After crossing a toll plaza near the National Media Centre, she noticed the driver inexplicably slowing down and ignoring her inquiries about why he was stopping. To her shock, the driver allegedly complied with two men who signalled for him to pull over. As the situation escalated with more men approaching the cab—totaling five, including the driver—Shazia became increasingly alarmed. The driver reportedly mentioned, “Meri kist pending hai” (my installment is due), which left her terrified. In response, she insisted that his personal matters were not her concern and urged him to continue the trip. However, as the men began to approach the cab, it became clear that the driver was complicit in their actions.
Feeling unsafe and desperate, Shazia opened the right-side door and fled from the cab. “I just couldn’t take it anymore,” she said in her LinkedIn post. “I had to get out of the car and run.” The experience was traumatic, and she emphasized how terrified she felt during those moments.
To make matters worse, when she attempted to use the SOS button on the Ola app for help, it did not work. Following this harrowing incident, Shazia lodged a complaint with Ola (Ticket #7210244) but claims she received no acknowledgment or response within 24 hours. This lack of accountability and urgency from Ola’s team is both shocking and deeply disappointing for her.
Concerns Over Safety Protocols
“This incident has reignited discussions about safety measures within ride-hailing services in India, particularly for women traveling alone,” Shazia stated. “My experience highlights significant lapses in Ola’s safety protocols.” As of now, she claims that Ola has not responded to requests for comment on this matter. Efforts to obtain an official statement from the company have not yielded a reply.
Background on Ride-Hailing Safety Issues
Shazia’s experience reflects broader issues regarding women’s safety in public transport and ride-hailing services across India. Despite previous efforts by companies like Ola to enhance passenger security through driver background checks and emergency features, incidents like this raise questions about their effectiveness. Shazia’s post has resonated with many users on social media, with others sharing similar experiences and calling for urgent reforms to ensure passenger safety is prioritised.
As discussions continue regarding this incident, there are growing calls for stricter regulations and better safety protocols within ride-hailing services to protect passengers effectively. Passenger safety is not just a feature—it’s a fundamental responsibility.
