New Ride-Share Program Will Cater Just To Women
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Uber and Lyft are gaining in popularity.
But some women have expressed trepidation about getting into a car with a man they don't know.
KCAL9's Joy Benedict says a new service -- just for women -- is on the launching pad.
It's a great opportunity for women everywhere. The new ride-sharing service is for female drivers and female passengers only.
It's called See Jane Go. Their motto: "Hail, yes!"
And for many, this idea hits the spot.
Rose Reyes signed up to be a Jane.
She was in Orange County, taking advantage of a training session, preparing for the app's launch.
"I want to make them feel comfortable and feel welcome," said Reyes.
Reyes told Benedict she's never herself been a passenger in a ride-share service.
"I guess because I never felt safe," she says.
Helping her learn the ways of the road is Christina Hurtado who is called a Super Jane. That's because she also drives for another service and will soon drive for this one, as well.
"Yesterday I had a bad experience. This guy was a little intoxicated and he got in the car and he was hitting on me," says Hurtado. "I was like, you have to calm down or I'm gonna make you exit."
Feeling uncomfortable is exactly why See-Jane-Go was born.
"She was just expressing not feeling safe riding in other ride hail cars and she said-- why isnt there something like this for women?," said William Jordan, who started the service with his daughter in mind.
"Only 17 percent of drivers for Lyft and Uber are women and its because they're not comfortable always," says See Jane Go CEO Kimberly Toonen.
The cars, reports Benedict, aren't the only things being inspected-- every driver has to go through background checks as well -- not only criminally but through the DMV to make sure they are safe to drive folks around.
In a couple of weeks, you'll see the new Jane decals in windows. Note Janes will drive men -- but only if they are accompanied by a woman.
For more information about the service, click here.