Commuters flag app captains, RTC staff for rude behaviour

Hema singuluri | Hyderabad 

Hyderabad commuters are increasingly raising concerns over the behaviour of app-based ride captains and public transport staff, with women passengers in particular reporting uncomfortable experiences. Traffic police say complaints involving Rapido and Uber, especially Rapido, have been increasing, while commuters point to fare disputes, safety concerns and arguments with drivers and conductors.

Police see rise in complaints

Traffic CI and SHO Y. Hanuman Goud said complaints involving Rapido and Uber are on the rise, with women accounting for a significant share. He said areas in and around the city's IT corridors have recently reported a higher number of such complaints.

According to him, complaints involving app-based drivers generally include fare disputes, arguments with passengers, rash or unsafe driving and allegations of threatening or inappropriate behaviour. Police can verify a driver's identity through booking details, vehicle registration, licence and other records. When a complaint or viral video surfaces, officers can identify the vehicle or driver and examine the available evidence before deciding on further action.

App-based drivers are expected to comply with licence, vehicle and traffic requirements, while passengers are advised to use verified bookings and report suspicious or unsafe conduct.

Women recount uncomfortable journeys

Anah, a first-year student from Yousufguda, said a bus driver recently yelled at her and commented on her clothes, leaving her humiliated. She said women passengers are often spoken to disrespectfully by bus drivers and conductors, particularly since the Mahalakshmi scheme. " It feels concerning where women are made to feel uncomfortable and judged while using public transport", she added.

Madhavi, a 50-year-old private school teacher from KPHB, said she travels by bus every Sunday to church and has faced multiple incidents. She alleged that RTC drivers, particularly conductors, behave rudely towards women. She also said some drivers do not stop at bus stops when there are fewer passengers and that women are sometimes shouted at when they request to get down in the middle of a journey during emergencies.

Mismatched vehicle numbers raise concern

Saba Anjum Shaik, a 23-year-old OU student, said safety concerns persist while using Rapido. She said she has noticed instances where the bike's registration number did not match the number shown for the booking. Multiple accounts and incomplete or improper profiles of riders also raise safety concerns, she said.

Paradise video sparks debate

Meanwhile, a video circulating online shows a TGSRTC driver allegedly refusing to open the bus door for a woman waiting in the rain at Paradise Signal. The woman and other passengers reportedly requested that the door be opened, but the driver refused. While some viewers criticized the behaviour, others defended the driver, pointing out that the bus was at a traffic signal and not at a designated bus stop.

The incidents have renewed calls for stricter verification of app-based drivers, clearer passenger rules and faster grievance redressal systems across public and app-based transport services.