More than one in four women have experienced inappropriate conduct by rideshare and taxi drivers, including being asked sexual questions, NSW government data shows, as the state moves to mandate behavioural training for drivers.
On Sunday, the Minns government announced that the state’s Point to Point Transport Commission, which regulates taxis and rideshare businesses, would issue guidelines to operators on how their internal systems should respond to instances of driver behaviour that threatens women’s safety.
While existing laws state that companies have a responsibility to manage safety risks, the government’s move will ensure platforms such as Uber and Didi define what constitutes offensive and unacceptable behaviour, and require that drivers undergo related training. The guidelines will also outline how a company should effectively manage incidents and complaints.
Unwanted attention, intrusive or inappropriate comments, asking sexual questions, and staring or invading personal space are all given as examples of offensive and inappropriate behaviour that would fall under the guidelines.
The rules come amid high levels of reports of harassment in rideshares. On Sunday, the government released survey data from last year that found while a quarter of women had experienced some form of inappropriate behaviour when travelling alone in rideshares and taxis, only six in 10 of them reported the incidents.
Last month, this masthead reported that Uber drivers accused of sexual harassment and threatening behaviour were being allowed back on the roads following unfair termination cases because the ride-sharing giant was not asking alleged victims to testify about their experiences.
The pattern emerged after the introduction of Albanese government laws last year that allowed gig economy workers to claim unfair dismissal-style protections, triggering a flood of appeals from Uber drivers claiming bans on them were unwarranted, and the company’s investigation processes insufficient.
In multiple cases, the Fair Work Commission ordered a driver’s access to Uber must be reinstated largely because the company did not offer first-hand testimony from the passenger who complained.
Speaking of the new state rules, NSW Transport Minister John Graham said, while most rideshare journeys are safe, data suggests women face greater risks of experiencing behaviour that causes discomfort or fear.
“Whether you are travelling around town in the daytime, or out enjoying our vibrant city at night, this initiative will help ensure that every passenger on every rideshare, taxi and hire vehicle journey feels safe and respected,” Graham said.
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Elias Visontay is a National Consumer Affairs Reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
