7 hrs ago
Rapido Pink Ride Assigns Male Captain, Prompting Safety Probe
Shalini Chaturvedi booked a Rapido Pink ride because she expected a woman to drive her.
A man was assigned to the booking instead.
She said he called her and told her, “Madam, I’m gay.”
She also said the app showed a woman’s photograph, but a man came to the pickup place.
Shalini felt unsafe and cancelled the ride.
She said Rapido charged her ₹15 even though the ride would have cost about ₹25.
Rapido apologised and said Pink rides are supposed to go to female captains.
The company said it would investigate and review the cancellation fee.
Shalini later said Rapido permanently removed the captain’s ID after she complained again.
Shalini Chaturvedi said a male captain was assigned to her Rapido Pink booking despite expecting a female driver.
She alleged that the captain said, “Madam, I’m gay,” and that a woman’s photograph appeared on the booking profile.
Chaturvedi cancelled the ride after the male rider reached her pickup location and said she was charged a ₹15 cancellation fee.
Rapido apologised, said Pink rides are meant for female captains, and promised to investigate the assignment, conduct, and fee.
Chaturvedi later said Rapido permanently terminated the captain’s platform ID after she raised further concerns.
- Who
- Shalini Chaturvedi, Rapido, and the male captain assigned to the booking.
- What
- A male captain was assigned to a Rapido Pink ride intended for female captains, leading to safety and verification concerns.
- Where
- The incident involved a pickup location in India; Chaturvedi was identified as being from Maharashtra.
- When
- The incident and its video went viral; the articles do not state a specific date.
- Why
- The reason for the incorrect assignment was not stated; Rapido said it would investigate.
Passenger’s safety concerns
Rapido’s response
Female-driver expectation
Passenger’s safety concerns
Chaturvedi said she booked Pink specifically expecting a female captain and was uncomfortable when a male rider was assigned and reached her location.
Rapido’s response
Rapido said Bike Pink rides are specifically meant to be assigned to female captains and promised to investigate how the booking went to a male captain.
Identity verification
Passenger’s safety concerns
Chaturvedi alleged that the profile showed a woman’s photograph even though a male rider arrived, raising concerns about captain verification.
Rapido’s response
Rapido said it would examine the captain’s conduct and, according to Chaturvedi’s later update, permanently terminated the captain’s ID after further escalation.
Cancellation charge
Passenger’s safety concerns
Chaturvedi said she cancelled the ride because of the driver-assignment issue and was charged ₹15.
Rapido’s response
Rapido said the cancellation charge should not have been imposed in the circumstances and would review it.
Key facts
- Service
- Rapido Pink, also called Bike Pink
- Passenger
- Shalini Chaturvedi, an Instagram creator from Maharashtra
- Driver-assignment concern
- A male captain was assigned to a service Rapido says is meant for female captains.
- Profile concern
- Chaturvedi alleged that the booking showed a woman’s photograph while a male rider arrived.
- Cancellation fee
- Chaturvedi said she was charged ₹15 after cancelling; she estimated the ride would have cost about ₹25.
- Initial company response
- Rapido apologised and said it would investigate the assignment, the captain’s conduct, and the cancellation charge.
- Reported later action
- Chaturvedi said Rapido permanently terminated the captain’s platform ID and shared proof of the action.
Quotes
Male Rapido captain
The male rider allegedly assigned to Chaturvedi’s Rapido Pink booking.
“Hi Shalini, we completely understand how distressing and concerning this experience must have been for you, and we’re truly sorry you had to go through this. Bike Pink rides are specifically meant to be assigned to female captains, and we’d like to investigate how this ride was assigned to a male captain, along with the captain’s conduct. We’ll also look into the cancellation charges, as these should not have been levied in this situation. Please share your registered mobile number and ride ID”
republicworld.com
timesnownews.com
“Madam, I’m gay.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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