A ride-hailing firm has decided to inject £20 million into Ride Safe UK initiative amid the coronavirus pandemic in a bid to ensure highest levels of safety.
Indian start-up Ola cabs are working with UK innovators and experts in public safety to ensure that initiatives represent best practice in safety and mobility. Latest safety measures will include cleaning and disinfecting cars between each rides in a first of its kind initiative. The company’s new safety guidelines are in line with the launch of TfL’s new mandatory requirements.
The four priority areas under the Ride Safe UK initiative will be driver safety and standards, industry-wide initiatives, technology and innovation and vehicle standards. The company backed by SoftBank is further expected to invest £50 million over the next 12 months globally to increase safety standards.
According to a statement, riders and drivers must wear a non-medical face covering for the duration of the journey and carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser and use it before and after getting in the car. Riders are advised to keep the car ventilated by winding down the windows, and the AC will not be set to recirculate.
“The launch of Ride Safe UK and the introduction of the new Ola safety guidelines will see riders and drivers working together to protect each other and the community as the UK gets moving.
“Ride Safe UK, and our investment behind it, demonstrates our long-term commitment and focus on raising safety standards across the industry. In the current environment this is more important than ever,” said Marc Rozendal, Ola’s UK Managing Director.
