Just a week ago on Oct. 23, a male driver on a local informal ride-pooling platform was arrested for molesting his female passenger.

Women-only carpooling group chat

Seemingly triggered by this — and likely other previous instances of harassment — university student Ong Shuling set up a women-only carpooling service on Telegram.

The group, set up in March, is called 'SG Hitch Female Drivers Riders'.

By end-October, the group amassed more than 5,000 members.

Creator of group experienced harassment

Speaking to the Straits Times, Ong said she created the group after experiencing unwanted advances from male drivers.

Once, she said, during a carpool journey, a man in his 40s who was in the car with Ong tossed S$100 in her lap and asked her to accompany him for dinner at his home.

"The (carpooling services) are a good initiative, but unfortunately, too many people are using it for the wrong purposes."

After feeling traumatised by her experience, Ong decided to create 'SG Hitch Female Drivers Riders'.

Separate group to report harassment

Although the carpooling chat is only meant for women, men are still able to access the group as it is not private.

To prevent any form of harassment, Ong has also set up the 'SG Hitch Blacklist' telegram group chat.

Riders will be able to report any issues that arise from their experience in the all-girls' group there.

Here is an example of a female rider receiving lewd messages from a male driver in the group:

Ong blocks those who are reported from the main all-girls carpooling group. She was quoted saying:

"It's a big responsibility but I thought I needed to do something to help other girls."

Top images via SG Hitch Female Drivers Riders' Telegram.

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