From the Star

A Toronto man has been charged with sexual assault after a woman told police she was attacked by an Uber driver in Markham.

York Regional Police say a 34-year-old woman called for an Uber car to meet her near Yonge St. and Major Mackenzie Dr. in Richmond Hill, shortly after midnight Tuesday.

The driver picked the woman up and drove her to a parking lot in near 16th Ave. and Woodbine Ave. in Markham, where police say she was sexually assaulted.

Uber Canada spokesperson Susie Heath said in a written statement that the ridesharing company “take[s] every safety incident very seriously and are committed to the safety of everyone who uses Uber.

“Upon hearing of this disturbing incident, we immediately removed the driver from the platform and contacted York Regional Police to offer our assistance and have supported them in their investigation,” she added.
Uber Canada said its drivers go through “a rigorous screening process” that includes background checks with the RCMP and local police.

Before they are picked up, passengers are sent information about their driver, including their name, photo, and vehicle make and model.

Uber trips are tracked via GPS, and passengers share their route and estimated time of arrival with other people.

“Unfortunately, incidents do happen as with all forms of transportation. That’s why we have a safety response team that is located in cities around the world and trained to deal with any critical safety issues that arise and are able to connect with law enforcement if necessary,” Heath wrote in an email to the Star.

“In responding to incidents, Uber can quickly deactivate riders’ and drivers’ accounts, preventing the parties in question from accessing the platform until the investigation is complete.”

Ahmadfayim Bayat, 30, has been charged with sexual assault. He was scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing Wednesday.

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