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Paris Just Launched a Female-Only Taxi Service

Sept. 01, 2017
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2 min read
Arc de Triomphe over traffic at night, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Paris Just Launched a Female-Only Taxi Service
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Women have been getting a lot of attention in the travel world lately. In just the past year, we’ve seen female-only security checkpoints open at China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN); a fleet of pink rickshaws for women, driven by women, in India; designated rows for female solo travelers flying Air India; and a whole package of special seating and services, like taxi stand escorts, on Vistara. While some of these enterprises have arisen out of safety concerns, they’re also a direct response to the rising number of female solo travelers.

Now, according to The Local, France is jumping on the trend with Women Drive, the country’s first female-only taxi service, which just launched in Paris. The company is the brainchild of entrepreneur Sarra Boubchir, who was inspired to create Women Drive after an uncomfortable experience she had coming home from a work event one evening. The driver began acting in an inappropriate way toward Boubchir and her friend, who didn’t mince words to let him know that they weren’t interested. When the women ignored his advances, he left them there. The company’s mission, according to Boubchir, is to “prove that transporting people is not a profession reserved for men, and that women have the right to be transported in peace.”

This isn’t some ragtag group of women simply offering their transportation services to fellow females for an evening; Women Drive is a truly luxurious service. The female-only roster of drivers ride around the City of Light in Mercedes coupes, which come with fresh water, makeup kits and computer tablets. In addition to offering quick rides from one location to another, the service also utilizes concierge and personal shopping services and can even act as your tour guide to the city. As Condé Nast Traveler reports, the multilingual drivers — or "hostesses" — will not disturb passengers with “prying eyes or indelicate questions.”

Rates for shorter rides are based on distance, while longer trips are billed at flat rates of either 50 euros (~$59) per hour, or 350 euros (~$416) for a full-day shopping and sightseeing extravaganza. While Paris is the only city where ladies can currently get the Women Drive treatment, Boubchir hopes to take the company nationwide in the near future. To which we say, oui oui!

H/T: The Local

Featured image by Getty Images/Blend Images

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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