Paris Just Launched a Female-Only Taxi Service
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
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