Report on E-hailing Survey by Women For Change
Following the alarming e-hailing attacks that have recently shaken South Africa, on 7 May 2024, Women For Change conducted a survey on our Instagram account to assess the current state of safety in e-hailing services.
The results are deeply concerning and underscore that the safety measures in place are inadequate. Many individuals, especially women, report feeling scared and vulnerable when using public transport, including e-hailing services. This report aims to present the findings of our survey, which highlight the urgent need for improvements.
Uber and Bolt are the preferred E-Hailing Services in South Africa
5,800 respondents answered the first question in the survey and gave us more information on which e-hailing company they use most frequently in South Africa. The results show that Uber is the most popular choice, with 58% of users preferring it. Bolt follows with 30%, while inDrive is used by 7% of respondents. The remaining 5% use other e-hailing services, indicating that Uber and Bolt dominate the e-hailing market in South Africa.
73% feel unsafe while using e-hailing services
The second question, answered by 5,250 people, revealed concerning insights about the perception of safety in e-hailing services. A significant majority, 73%, reported that they do not feel safe using these services. Only 27% of respondents feel safe when using e-hailing options. This statistic highlights a critical issue in the e-hailing industry, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety measures to ensure user confidence and security.
Harassment during E-haling Rides
In the third poll, 5,062 people responded to the question, “Have you ever experienced any harassment or verbal abuse during a trip?” The results showed that 22% of respondents reported experiencing harassment or verbal abuse at least once during a trip, while 8% faced it often. The majority (70%) indicated they had not experienced such issues.
9% have experienced a form of sexual abuse at least once
4,976 people responded to the question, ‘Have you ever experienced any abuse (this includes sexual abuse) during a trip?’ The results show that 91% of respondents have never experienced any abuse during a trip. However, 7% reported experiencing abuse once, and 2% reported experiencing it often. These figures highlight that while the majority feel safe, a notable 9% have had distressing experiences during a ride. 
48% know of someone who has been harassed or assaulted by an e-hailing driver
Another poll, with 4,982 participants, asked, “Do you know of anyone who has been harassed or assaulted by a driver?” The responses revealed that 48% of participants knew someone who had been harassed or assaulted by a driver, compared to 52% who did not.
This nearly even split indicates a widespread awareness of such incidents in our community. The fact that almost half of the respondents are aware of someone who has faced harassment or assault by a driver underscores the prevalence of these issues and the importance of addressing them within the transportation services and e-hailing industry.
Reporting Issues with E-Hailing Companies
Another question we asked our community, with 4,328 respondents, investigated the reporting of serious issues with e-hailing companies. The findings reveal that 76% of respondents have never reported any serious issues.
Of those who did report, 19% did not hear back from the company, indicating a potential gap in customer service responsiveness. Only 5% of respondents received good support after reporting a serious issue. These results show that e-hailing companies need to improve their handling of serious complaints.
80% prefer a female driver
Another question, answered by 4,952 people, focused on driver preferences using e-hailing services. A significant 80% of respondents expressed a preference for female drivers, while only 2% preferred male drivers, and 18% indicated no preference for either gender.
These findings suggest a strong inclination towards female drivers, likely driven by perceived safety and comfort considerations. The overwhelming preference for female drivers highlights the importance of gender dynamics in transportation services and suggests a need for more female drivers to meet passenger preferences and enhance overall safety perceptions.
Furthermore, these results underscore the importance of onboarding and empowering more female drivers. Offering job opportunities for women in the transportation sector can not only address passengers’ safety concerns but also contribute to gender equality and economic empowerment in South Africa.
Encouraging and empowering more women to become drivers can create a safer environment for all passengers while providing meaningful employment opportunities for women, fostering a more inclusive and equitable workforce.
59% use Safety Features during a ride all the time
Our last question during the Instagram survey, which had 4,260 participants, focused on the use of safety features during e-hailing trips.
The majority, 59%, use safety features at all times, while 27% use them sometimes. Only 14% of respondents do not use any safety features. This indicates that a significant portion of users are proactive about their safety, although there is still a group that does not take these precautions.
In light of these findings, Women For Change demands significant changes within the e-hailing sector to better protect and serve passengers. We call on Uber, Bolt, and inDrive to enhance their safety protocols, improve driver education, and launch comprehensive awareness campaigns to combat Gender-Based Violence in South Africa.
Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, including women and children, can travel without fear. Women For Change will continue to monitor these companies’ actions and advocate for meaningful changes until a safer transport system is achieved.
In conclusion, our survey highlights the urgent need for changes within the transportation industry. We will continue to hold these companies accountable and ensure that e-hailing companies finally prioritise passenger safety and GBV in South Africa.