Ride- hailing business now offer countless trips a day.
Lyft
Lawmakers desire ride-hailing business to discuss how they handle sexual attacks.
Nine members of Congress sent out a letter Monday to Uber, Lyft, Juno, Via and Curb asking the business to offer details on how they collect information on sexual attacks their chauffeurs supposedly devote, according to CNN. The legislators likewise wish to know what the business do to avoid them.
Ride- hailing business provide countless trips each day, however as these services have actually grown the business have actually come under fire amidst reports of chauffeurs attacking travelers. After evaluating authorities reports and court records throughout the United States, CNN discovered last month that a minimum of 103 Uber chauffeurs and 18 Lyft chauffeurs have actually supposedly raped, by force touched or abducted travelers, to name a few criminal activities over the last 4 years.
“These reports are appalling,” the letter checks out. “We are horrified to think that our family, friends, and constituents may be subject to sexual assault while using your service.”
A handful of states, consisting of California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Texas, have formerly introduced examinations into Uber and Lyft, declaring they consistently stop working to evaluate chauffeurs effectively and have actually worked with chauffeurs with criminal histories.
Both Uber and Lyft have actually acknowledged the issue and state they’re working to make their service much safer. Uber introduced numerous brand-new security functions last month, consisting of an in-app emergency situation 911 button and harder chauffeur screenings that need yearly background checks. Both business likewise use real-time trip tracking and 24/ 7 consumer assistance.
Last week, in a significant turnaround of their policy, both Uber and Lyft revealed they’re dropping all arbitration arrangements they had with riders, chauffeurs and workers over private claims of sexual attack or harassment. They likewise ended privacy arrangements that avoided victims from speaking up. In addition, they assured to launch– for the very first time– information on sexual attacks. The business stated this information will not be offered for numerous months.
“This is an incredibly important issue, and we look forward to responding to the letter sent to us this morning,” a Lyft spokesperson stated in an e-mail. “We take this issue very seriously and work closely with law enforcement when appropriate.”
An Uber spokesperson stated the business is likewise preparing to react to the legislators. A Via spokesperson stated guest and chauffeur security is of utmost issue to the business.
“We look forward to discussing our protocols and processes with members of Congress, and to working with other companies in the industry to ensure every individual choosing to ride or drive on our platforms is able to do so safely,” stated the Via spokesperson.
In the letter, the members of Congress ask the business if they share details with each other on chauffeurs who supposedly devote attacks– given that lots of chauffeurs work for several business. The legislators didn’t provide the ride-hailing business a due date for a reaction, however stated they anticipate a response within a sensible quantity of time, according to CNN.
“As ridesharing becomes more ubiquitous, it should be in our shared interest to ensure these spaces are measured by the highest standards in safety,” the members of Congress composed.
Curb and Juno didn’t react to ask for remark.Rep Joseph Crowley, the Democrat from New York who prepared the letter, likewise didn’t react to an ask for remark.
First released May 21, 1: 34 p.m. PT.
Update, 2: 46 p.m.: Adds remark from Uber spokesperson and Via spokesperson.
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