In a shocking incident that took place early Saturday morning, a 70-year-old app driver was subjected to robbery and violence by a passenger while driving in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo. The driver reported to the police that he received a call to pick up passengers from a night club, where two women and one man entered his vehicle. After dropping the women off at a specified location, the man requested to be taken further down the street, where he later attacked the driver.

The passenger initially questioned the fare and insisted on paying only a fraction of the agreed price, which escalated tensions. Without warning, he began to physically assault the driver, striking him and grabbing him by the neck from behind. In a desperate move, the driver managed to unfasten his seatbelt, open the door, and escape the vehicle. At this point, the assailant took control of the car, fleeing the scene and leaving the driver behind.

This incident highlights the growing safety concerns for app drivers, especially as they navigate unknown locations and passengers. As app-based transportation continues to proliferate, the need for enhanced safety measures and better regulatory protections for drivers becomes increasingly urgent, underlining the potential dangers that come with gig economy jobs in urban settings.