Charlotte-based, women-led rideshare app promises safer travels
Why it matters: " We're here to offer peace of mind," founder Kimberly Evans tells Axios, adding that their top priority is creating a safe environment for drivers and passengers across the Carolinas.
Context: For Evans, the cause is personal. In 1987, a friend of hers was abducted while waiting for a ride. As rideshare companies emerged, and similar tragic stories made headlines, including the murder of a University of South Carolina student, Evans avoided using rideshare apps for years.
In 2020, she launched Just Her Rideshare, making safety a core value of her company.
"Uber and Lyft had become so big that I knew they had lost touch with what it looks like to create a safe ride for women," Evans added.
How it works: Just Her Rideshare is just like Uber and Lyft, except all the drivers are women.
Drivers must pass a background and driving record check. They must be 21 years or older, have access to a four-door vehicle with five seat belts, and their car must be less than 15 years old, according to the application.
Like Uber and Lyft, you can schedule rides in advance and modify your experience. Whether you want a silent ride, a certain temperature in the car, or a specific genre of music, just let your driver know in the app's "notes" section.
The drivers have the option to choose whether they want to transport passengers who do not identify as female.
The app is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Zoom out: Just Her Rideshare has more than 2,000 drivers across seven cities, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina.
Evans plans to expand by launching Just Her in Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas in the coming months.
The big picture: Both Lyft and Uber have long been criticized by victims for not doing enough to protect passengers and drivers, Axios' Kia Kokalitcheva writes.
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