In the cab and bike sharing industry, women constitute a small percentage of drivers/ riders, with some reports suggesting as few as 3%. This disparity is being addressed through platforms like inDrive Nepal that aim to encourage and support women entering the industry. WOW talks to three women drivers who count their job as a well-paid work, enabling them to balance family and career responsibilities.
Pavit Nanda Anand is Communication Lead for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region at inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform headquartered in Mountain View, California. With over 15 years of experience in public relations and communications, she has been instrumental in launching and expanding inDrive’s services across multiple countries, including Nepal, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
What safety measures does inDrive have in place to ensure passenger and driver security during rides?
At inDrive, our user safety and satisfaction, specifically women’s safety and experience, is always a top-most priority ensuring a safe and secure ride experience. We aim to ensure every choice you make with inDrive is safe and secure, hence we have provided various safety features to the users such as:
- Safety button – The shield icon on the main screen is for quickly contacting support, calling the police or an ambulance.
- Trusted contact – In the app, everyone can save the phone number of a trusted person for quick contact in an emergency. Trusted numbers can be added at any time, even during the ride.
- Share your ride – Both passengers and drivers can share their ride details with friends or family. They’ll see the route, info on driver or passenger and vehicle, as well as real-time trip status.
- Rate your driver or passenger – Remember to rate your ride, whether you are a driver or a passenger. If you have any concerns, you can always contact Support
Does inDrive have partnerships with local insurance companies to provide coverage?
Yes, inDrive collaborates with Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance to offer accident coverage to its users in Nepal. These partnerships enable a seamless claims process, allowing affected individuals to receive compensation without unnecessary delays.
What type of accidental insurance coverage does inDrive provide for passengers and drivers?
inDrive provides accidental insurance coverage to both passengers and drivers to ensure their safety and financial security in case of an accident. This coverage includes compensation for death, permanent disability, and medical expenses resulting from an accident during a ride booked through the inDrive platform. Accidental insurance coverage is automatically activated once a ride is confirmed through the inDrive app.
The insurance applies only to rides that begin and end using the inDrive platform; any personal or offline arrangements between drivers and passengers are not covered.
- In the unfortunate event of death or permanent total disability of a passenger or driver, a compensation amount of
Rs 8,00,000 will be provided. - If the accident leads to injuries requiring medical treatment, inDrive offers reimbursement of up to Rs 80,000 for medical expenses.
- For minor passengers, the compensation amount will be 50% of the insured amount, ensuring adequate financial support for their families.
What background checks or verification processes does inDrive conduct for its drivers?
To maintain a safe and reliable ride-hailing service, inDrive conducts a thorough verification process for all drivers before they are allowed to accept rides on the platform. The verification process includes:
- Identity Verification: Drivers must submit a government-issued ID and provide personal details for authentication.
- Driver’s License Check: inDrive ensures that all drivers have a valid driving license and the necessary legal permits to operate a vehicle for ride-hailing purposes.
- Vehicle Inspection: The platform verifies that the driver’s vehicle is in good condition, meets safety standards, and has valid registration documents.
- Criminal Record Screening: inDrive performs background checks to ensure that drivers have no criminal history or past offenses that could compromise passenger safety.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Even after initial approval, inDrive continuously monitors driver performance based on passenger feedback and ride history. If a driver receives multiple complaints or poor ratings, necessary action is taken, which may include suspension or permanent removal from the platform.
This strict verification process helps inDrive maintain a high standard of safety and reliability, ensuring that only trustworthy and responsible individuals are allowed to offer ride-hailing services.
Rebika Shah
Rebika Shah, a 25-year-old from Kapan, Kathmandu, now residing in Bhaktapur, has navigated various career paths before finding a career as a rider for inDrive. Before joining the platform, she worked in a bookshop and briefly explored the corporate world. After completing high school, she found herself uncertain about her next steps. Realising she could put her riding skills to use while earning an income, she decided to give ride-sharing a try. Two years into the journey, she feels she is breaking barriers and driving change.
How has inDrive helped you to meet your expenses?
After analysing the basic salary structure in Nepal, I learnt that many people were earning well through ride-sharing apps. This motivated me to join inDrive as a rider. Initially, it was challenging since most riders were men, and people were hesitant to accept a female rider. However, once I gained acceptance, the platform became a significant financial support for me. I started earning from every ride request, and during bad weather, festivals and special occasions, my earnings often doubled providing me with much-needed financial stability.
Some people still believe that women should be confined to certain professions only. Your comments?
In the ride-sharing industry, people often prefer male riders, but with the growing number of women joining this field, public trust has gradually increased. After riding for a few months, I encouraged many other women to join inDrive as well. The pay is often better than the starting salary in most corporate jobs, and the flexible hours make it even more appealing. Even with just a second-hand scooter, one can earn a decent monthly income, up to Rs 30,000. However, challenges still exist. There are days when I receive comments from male passengers, such as, “Baini, give me the scooter, I’ll ride it, and you can sit behind me.” Such remarks reflect lingering stereotypes and a lack of trust in female riders. I believe women are just as capable in this profession, and I hope to see more of us breaking barriers.
Any positive reactions from the passengers?
Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of meeting many kind and encouraging passengers. Many have expressed their appreciation, and a lot of elders have said, “I am proud of the work you are doing,” and have shown genuine respect for my profession. I believe that the way you treat your passengers plays a significant role in shaping their experience. A positive interaction can leave a lasting impression, leading them to recommend the service to others. Some passengers have even given me generous tips, simply because they felt safe and comfortable during the ride. These moments reassure me that I am making a difference and changing perceptions about women in this field.
Sunita Thapa
Sunita Thapa, mother to a nine-year-old boy, lives in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur. She has been a part of the inDrive community for around four years. Initially, the Covid19 pandemic hindered her ability to build a business, prompting her to join inDrive as a rider. At one point, she was balancing a job while working as a rider, but as a mother, she found it increasingly difficult to juggle both. Realising the need to be more present in her son’s life, Sunita made the decision to leave her job and focus entirely on her work with inDrive.
How has inDrive helped you to meet your expenses?
InDrive has been a huge help for me. Even when I am dropping my children off at school, I can fit in a ride and earn money. I receive plenty of requests within Bhaktapur itself, making it very convenient for me. Managing a grocery store was challenging when it came to earning, but with inDrive, I can easily make Rs 9000 a day on average.
Some people still believe that women should be confined to certain professions only. Your comments?
My mother often encourages me to find a safer, more stable job as she believes driving isn’t a permanent career. I think it’s not just others who doubt us, but ourselves too. In our society, there’s a common expectation that women should stay at home while men work 9-to-5 jobs. Even my own family shares this belief. However, I have chosen to do what works best for me. This job allows me to be there for my child, offering the flexibility to spend time with him and be present when he needs me.
Any positive reactions from the passengers?
On average, I meet around 10 to 15 passengers each day, and every person is unique. Just today, I encountered someone who wasn’t particularly pleasant, and the same thing happened yesterday. The online payment system wasn’t working yesterday, but the passenger paid 250 via online transfer and also gave me the same amount in cash. Once the payment system was back up, I tried calling him several times to let him know he had made a double payment. He didn’t pick up immediately and only returned my call after four hours, asking why I had called. When I explained the situation, he insisted I keep the extra payment. It’s interesting to meet people like that; though not everyone is as easy-going.
Bidhya Lama
Bidhya Lama, a mother of two, lives in Bhaktapur with her children while her husband works abroad in Qatar. Prior to joining inDrive, she was the proud owner of a local grocery store, where she managed the day-to-day operations and supported her family. Her journey with inDrive began as she sought new opportunities to balance her responsibilities and provide better for her children. With an entrepreneurial spirit and determination, she transitioned from running her own business to becoming part of the inDrive community.
How has inDrive helped you to meet your expenses?
inDrive has been a great support for me. Even while dropping my children off at school, I can easily fit in a ride and earn some money. I receive a steady stream of requests from within Bhaktapur, which has been very helpful in covering my expenses. Running a grocery store was challenging when it came to making a stable income, but with inDrive, I can easily earn 8,000 to 9,000 rupees a day.
Some people still believe that women should be confined to certain professions only. Your comments?
I have never encountered any issues with my passengers. In fact, I’ve mostly had the pleasure of meeting kind and respectful people. Some of them even ask for my number since they live nearby, and we’ve stayed in touch. I’ve built a strong sense of trust with nearly all of my passengers, and it’s rewarding to know that they feel confident in my driving.
Any positive reactions from the passengers?
I often receive double tips from passengers. Even when it’s not necessary, I rarely have to return any change. Some passengers even insist on giving me extra cash, despite my saying it’s not needed. They tell me, ‘As a woman, you’re doing so much for your family. We haven’t been able to do this, but you have.’ It’s a gesture that really touches me.
