Twitter can agree on one thing: everyday, women still face dangers in places where they should feel safe.
Actor and comedian Anna Gillcrist highlighted the perils women face by using car services when she told a scary Twitter tale about a Lyft driver who harassed her on the ride home from her friend’s bachelorette party.
As she explained in a series of tweets, the performer was traveling home over the weekend when she got into a Lyft pool with two other passengers. It was a normal ride… until the two other riders were dropped off.
Related: Pregnant Woman & Unborn Child Fatally Stabbed By Lyft Passenger
At that point, Anna claims the Lyft driver started making her feel uncomfortable by asking if she had a boyfriend. She tweeted:
Last night I took a @lyft home from my friends bachelorette. It was a line, so there were two people in the back seat when I got in. Once they were dropped off, the driver immediately leaned over to me and asks “do you have a boyfriend?”. I paused, and didn’t respond.
— anna gillcrist (@AnnaGillcrist) April 7, 2019
Anna grew even more alarmed when the driver pulled onto her street and, as she claimed, started driving “very slowly” before asking her if her boyfriend was home.
Then, because the driver apparently wasn’t giving off enough serial killer vibes already, Anna claims he refused to unlock the doors at her request . So, she did what any sane-minded woman would do: bolt the f**k out of the car.
She continued:
He looks at me and asks “is your boyfriend home?” I immediately realized the doors were locked and I said “please unlock the doors.” He didn’t. So I pried the lock up, jumped out of the car, and ran to my apartment.
— anna gillcrist (@AnnaGillcrist) April 7, 2019
Sounds about right.
Whether it’s walking home alone or sitting in a car with a stranger, traveling alone at night can be very scary for women. The literal last thing a female traveler needs is a creepy as f**k driver asking if her boyfriend is home and then refusing to let her out!
Seriously, that’s some Ted Bundy s**t.
But, apparently, the ride-sharing company didn’t really seem to be too bothered by it. When Anna issued a complaint to the company the next day, she claimed Lyft assured her that the unsettling driver would be prevented from picking her up again.
After the comedian pressed the company for a stronger punishment, arguing that the motorist shouldn’t be allowed to pick up “ANY woman ever again,” she said they simply stated that he would be “reprimanded” before offering her a $5 credit for her troubles.
and he just said “don’t worry he will be reprimanded.” Then he gave me a $5 credit, and told me he would be emailing me the official report. I have received no email. I’ve been sitting on my bed thinking about this for hours and I am fucking angry.
— anna gillcrist (@AnnaGillcrist) April 7, 2019
Yes, seriously. A $5 credit. To make up for a terrifying experience where she genuinely feared for her life. She explained:
So please let me know when you decide to do the right thing. I’m not going to drop this. @lyft
— anna gillcrist (@AnnaGillcrist) April 7, 2019
Naturally, Anna’s story caught wind on the social platform, with countless users being angry at the business on her behalf, and even more sharing similar things that have happened to them in car services:
Hey, @lyft it's repeated stories like this that make me fearful to use your service, especially alone. Boilerplate written complaints and tiny credits don't keep us safe. Ban drivers who behave like this. Screen drivers. (also looking at you @Uber)
— Andrea Hangst (@FBALL_Andrea) April 9, 2019
Lyft, you had a window of opportunity where Uber's famously unethical, illegal, and immoral behavior gave you a shot.
You *could have* become the safe pickup alternative, and won.
Maybe there's still time, but it's got to be a huge effort and a real one, not marketing.
— Most Americans have immigrant ancestors (@LarryWest42) April 9, 2019
These stories are why I don't use either service, instead planning alt. means of transportation.
I'm not worried about me, but I'm in a category of people more or less "guaranteed" safe passage in a business that does not ensure that guarantee for all… Why use their business?— Cantrips (@CantripsLoL) April 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/theundergleam/status/1115493765337083904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1115493765337083904&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwokesloth.com%2Fwoman-viral-thread-lyft-driver%2Fjessi%2F
The story got so much attention, Lyft eventually issued a statement, tweeting that it found her horror story “very concerning” and took immediate action once they received her tweet — which apparently took two whole days:
Anna, we are so sorry you experienced this. Behavior like you reported is not allowed on the Lyft platform, and we find reports like this very concerning. We immediately took action as soon as we received your tweet and a member of our safety team will be in touch soon.
— Lyft (@lyft) April 9, 2019
Twitter users weren’t satisfied with the company’s too little too late response. Many continued to blast Lyft for waiting until the story went viral to deal with it’s creepy driver (who, for all we know, is still creeping out his female passengers).
Others pointed out that the company should install a feature where riders have the option to choose a female driver:
https://twitter.com/KaitlynMKE/status/1115624319999254528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1115624319999254528&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwokesloth.com%2Fwoman-viral-thread-lyft-driver%2Fjessi%2F
My friend wouldn't drive after sunset either, and it really compounds the problem, that women drivers don't feel safe, as well as women customers. I really would love a service for women only but the "reverse sexism" crowd would do their best to ruin it
— an honest to god woc (@enfysblessed) April 9, 2019
A female driver option would be great! It would also be great if male drivers didn’t hold their female riders captive… but apparently that’s not as easy of a fix.
Smh. We’re glad nothing happened to Anna and hope this story makes Lyft — and Uber — hold its drivers more accountable.
[Image via YouTube/Lyft]
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