A survey, conducted by Ipsos, in collaboration with Bolt, in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Takoradi has revealed that 81 percent of respondents surveyed perceive ride-hailing services as safer than other traditional transport options.
The new Ride-Hailing Safety Index Survey explored how safety influences ride-hailing adoption in Ghana in contrast to other transportation services.
It also looked at the role of technology in promoting trust, and how ride-hailing services are contributing to safer urban travel.
From the respondents who were spoken to, 92 percent of them said they used ride-hailing when seeking safer or more reliable travel, particularly for late-night trips, which was rated at 70 per cent.
The index was presented at an event in Accra, organised by Bolt.
Presenting the outcome of the survey at the event, Ms Sandra Susan Buyole, the Regional PR Manager for Bolt Africa stated that “We were immensely overwhelmed with the positive results. I mean, 81% of passengers in Ghana saying that they feel safer using ride-hailing than other transport modes, I think is a great and a very big achievement for us at Bolt”.
The event was under the theme: “Insights on Ride-hailing Safety in Ghana.”
According to Ms Sandra Susan Buyole, the survey has proven that ride-hailing services prioritise the safety of persons who patronize their services.
She described the survey as a “great endorsement.”
She further disclosed that Bolt remains committed to safety and has in place a framework which hinges on a comprehensive toolkit, including audio trip recording for in-trip security, Share Trip Life Status for real-time location sharing, and the SOS Emergency Button.
On his part, Mr Albert Wotorgbiu, Acting Deputy Director, Research, Business Development and Innovation at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), stated that the outfit played an active role in the survey.
“At DVLA, safety, both for the rider and the driver, is our priority ensuring the mandatory verification process for ride-hailing platforms. When Bolt accepts you or start registering you as a driver or a vehicle on their platform, they have to come to DVLA for verification of all your documents,” he said.
“First of all, your driving licence. And then with the car itself, whether your road readiness is up to date.” Addressing the public preference for ride-hailing.”
He added “Probably what we can do as a country is also to start educating the other drivers and other vehicle operators as to what to also do to improve safety standards in their operations”.
Ipsos Head of Strategy Africa, Mr Witness Soyinka indicated that the findings showed that Ghanaians increasingly associate ride-hailing with reliability, traceability, and accountability.
This he stated will build long-term trust in mobility services.
According to Mr Soyinka, the Ride-Hailing Safety Index Report provides a data-driven foundation to inform future improvements in safety, innovation, and awareness.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana