Your Chariot awaits

Uber is many things to many people. For some, it’s a cheaper alternative to riding in a taxi, with the average fare being up to 50 per cent less than a taxi fare. For others, it’s a way to supplant their income with their own vehicle simply by driving people to certain destinations. But in the world of ride-sharing, all that glisters is not gold, especially for some riders.

Look through the headlines, and you’ll be sure to hear lots of news about Uber, most of it not positive. In one recent story, an Uber driver went on a killing spree while he had a passenger in his car. Here in Toronto, the taxi industry has waged war on the ride-sharing service. Real cab drivers have to shell out $200,000 or more annually for their taxi license, while Uber drivers need only pass a criminal background check and vehicle inspection. Toronto’s city council is trying to regulate the service, but in the interim, a bitter battle between the two transportation providers is ongoing.

While Uber and its UberX service are certainly convenient and cost-effective, some users have had a rough ride, most notably, women. There have been various instances where male UberX drivers sexually assaulted female customers. Not only did this result in another PR nightmare for Uber, it also incensed the female population in general. Why should their safety be compromised every time they use Uber? What could be done to make ride-sharing safer for sole female passengers?

Enter Boston native Michael Pelletz, a former UberX driver. He felt that despite the convenience it offers, Uber could be highly unsafe for women travelling after dark. With that in mind, Pelletz created Chariot for Women. The service is similar in structure to Uber, but is staffed solely by female drivers. It is available only to women and young males under the age of 13.

“We believe that giving women and their loved ones peace of mind is not only a public policy imperative but serves an essential social interest,” Pelletz told USA Today. “Our service is intended to protect these fundamental liberties, and we look forward to ending the inequality of security that currently afflicts drivers and riders on the basis of gender.”

Having used UberX for just over a year now, I find the service convenient and affordable. It’s always ready when you are, and I usually don’t wait more than five minutes for a ride to arrive. The drivers are generally friendly, and I’ve had no problems with the service. That said, I can understand the need for a service like Chariot for Women. It would help to give women peace of mind and an added sense of safety and security, especially when travelling home alone after a night out on the town.

Unlike Uber, the service arms both drivers and passengers with unique security features, which include daily security checks for its drivers, and the usage of safe words to ensure that users have found the correct ride. The company plans to add more security elements in the future. 

Although Chariot for Women is still in its infancy, and does not have any plans for Canadian expansion as of yet, I believe the service would be welcomed with open arms in Canada. Too often do we hear stories about women being assaulted when travelling alone at night, regardless of what form of transportation they are using. A service like Chariot for Women would ensure that women always receive a safe and secure ride home.