New ride company offers Uber-like service exclusively for women

With most cab and car service drivers men, it’s understandable women would feel uncomfortable at times getting in the back seat. One mom is hoping to change that with an idea that’s ringing Rachel’s bell.

SheRides is a new startup much like Uber or Lyft. But the drivers for the app-based service are all women, and passengers have to be female or have a woman in their group to get a ride.

The service was started by a mother of two daughters in New York who wanted something safer for her girls.

For now, it’s only available in New York City and on Long Island, but the founder hopes to expand to other cities in the next year.

KIRO Radio’s Rachel Belle says while she’s never had anything happen while riding in a cab or Uber, there’s always an underlying fear for her safety.

“I’ve had these thoughts in my head when I’m in a car, like this guy could take me anywhere, and he could hurt me or kill me or whatever. And I’ve heard enough stories.”

While there are no readily available data about the number of men versus women driving in the Seattle area, The New York Times reports just 5 percent of New York City’s 59,999 for-hire drivers are women, with just 1 percent driving cabs.

Rachel has never had a female cab driver, but after hearing of the new service, she welcomes it.

“I’ve had a cab driver say some pretty lewd gross things to me, and I was like, ‘You can let me out here.’ And I walked the rest of the way home,” Rachel says. “If I was asked if I wanted a man or a woman, I’d always choose a woman.”