Uber launches ‘Safety Toolkit’ features in Bangladesh

Uber, the world's largest on-demand ride-sharing company, today announced the launch of 'Safety Toolkit', a consolidated and comprehensive set of features in-app for riders in Bangladesh, within months of its US rollout.

Keeping technology at the heart of Uber's approach, the safety toolkit is aimed at building on the existing safety features available to riders in Bangladesh and improving both awareness and usage rates of some of the existing as well as newly introduced features, said a press release.

Riders can access the Safety Toolkit on the home screen of the app from the moment the driver accepts the trip through when the trip ends.

Commenting on the launch, Sachin Kansal, Director, Product Management, Uber said, "At Uber, safety is a top priority and we look towards harnessing technology to solve for rider and driver safety concerns in more innovative ways. The roll-out of Safety Toolkit to thousands of riders across Bangladesh is an extension of this commitment to the community that we serve."

He also said they have updated their platform to prioritise awareness and sensitisation and make Uber's safety features more accessible and easier to use. "A key feature that we are introducing today as part of the Safety Toolkit is 'Trusted Contacts', which offers riders the option to automatically share all or selected late night trips with their family and loved ones."

Launched in the US in May, the Safety Toolkit's design and features have been determined in large part, based on feedback from thousands of riders.

Uber was the first ride-sharing company in Bangladesh to integrate the government's helpline number in the app in August 2017, which prompt riders to dial 999 in case of an emergency. The introduction of this feature adds to the existing in-built repertoire of safety features in the Uber app. Technologies like Uber provide an incredible opportunity to improve safety of riders and drivers in new and innovative ways- before, during and after every ride.

The new changes will build on the safety benefits that ridesharing already brings to cities, such as helping people get reliable rides to their destination, tracking every trip with GPS and interlinking with the safety apps of local police authorities where available.