For both LGBTIQA+ drivers and passengers, the rideshare experience simply isn’t the same as everyone else’s. Rides are tinged with worries about homophobia or getting harassed because of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Homobiles, a donation-based nonprofit in the San Francisco area, has solved that problem by providing a secure and reliable transit service to the queer community and its allies in California. Now, as they prepare to develop a new mobile app, they want to hear from LGBTQIA+ drivers around the country about their experiences with rideshares or other transportation service providers.
As part of a project for General Assembly, an Austin-based web development and design school, former Austin Chronicle writer Charlie Neddo created a survey for members of the community to help Homobiles. According to Neddo, Homobiles will use the survey as a way to incorporate the perspectives of drivers into designing a better app.
Whether you’ve experienced discrimination from a passenger or simply want to help an inclusive organization learn what you like and dislike most about being a driver, this survey is where you can tell your story.
With two dozen questions, Homobiles wants to know about the rideshare companies you drive for, how long you’ve been driving, your favorite features on the ridesharing app of your choice, what kind of phone you have, any specific times of day you avoid driving, your ideal experience as a driver, and more. All the questions are optional, so don’t worry about being forced to share anything you don’t want to.
So if you’re not satisfied with the current state of rideshares in Austin, take a few minutes out of your day to fill out the survey. If it helps make the local ridesharing experience just a little more safe – or a little bit more comfortable – it’ll be worth it.
Access the survey online here, via Google Docs.
This article appears in June 28 • 2019.