Ride-Hailing as a Developmental Intervention: Enhancing Safety and Accountability in Mekelle's Informal Transport System

This dataset supports research on the design and potential of a context-adapted ICT intervention to mitigate security risks in informal urban transport. It contains mixed-methods data collected in Mekelle, Ethiopia, including: 1. Survey Data (n=150): Quantitative data on residents' security perceptions (e.g., theft, harassment) and their willingness to adopt a ride-hailing application featuring digital accountability mechanisms like identity verification and real-time tracking.Qualitative Data: Transcripts from focus group discussions and interviews exploring user experiences with transport insecurity and the perceived value of proposed ICT-based safety features. 2. Prototype Feedback Data: Results from a pilot test of a locally developed, non-profit ride-hailing application, capturing user acceptance of specific features such as a driver bidding system, digital driver verification, and an emergency contact function. The data provides a empirical basis for analyzing how digital platforms can enhance transparency, trust, and safety in low-regulation, informal economies, contributing directly to ICT for Development (ICT4D) scholarship on mobility and urban governance.