A new ridesharing service is launching in five cities this fall, and one of them is Dallas. Yes, Safr is based on providing safe rides—but the company is actually doing a lot more to empower women.
The Boston-based startup launched in January 2017 as a mission-driven company “built with the needs of women in mind.”
Drivers also must undergo a comprehensive background check in criminal and motor vehicle history.
By hiring female drivers, paying more than the industry standard, and donating a portion of every fare to charity, Safr aims to elevate gender equality in the ridesharing sector.
Similar to fan-favorites Uber and Lyft, Safr has an app available to download on the Apple Store or Google Play. According to the Safr website, each driver has been personally vetted with an in-person interview and driving session, and they have the option to participate in a ride safety training course. Drivers also must undergo a comprehensive background check in criminal and motor vehicle history.
When you request a ride, Safr also has implemented features to ensure additional security, including:
- a 24/7 real-time command center that tracks each trip;
- an SOS button that any driver or rider can press that will automatically notify Safr, 911, or your chosen emergency contact; and
- a color-matching system that both the driver and rider must verify to ensure the correct person is being picked up.
THE INS AND OUTS OF RIDESHARING IN DFW
Dallas-Fort Worth highways host myriad drivers from ridesharing services. Curb, Jayride, SuperShuttle, Wingz, and of course, Uber and Lyft, are just a few options, according to RideGuru.
Last year, lawmakers actually made it easier to hail a ride in Texas.
As reported by The Dallas Morning News, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that enacted statewide regulations for ridesharing services, which voided any specific city requirements in place. That move allowed for more consistent ridesharing rules across the state, such as mandatory background checks and illegal rider discrimination.
In addition to new legislation, Dallas also has seen protection-based services make their way to the roads. For example, former DISD Police Chief Craig Miller and his partners created Bubbl in 2016, a shuttle service that uses off-duty police officers as drivers. As reported by Dallas Innovates, safety was the company’s biggest priority.
While the traffic in the ridesharing space gets heavier, it’s up to the rider to choose which service they prefer. Hang tight, because Safr cars—and their safer drivers—will be a new option to choose in the coming months.
Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.
Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.
R E A D N E X T
-
The hybrid event in August will take place in person at SMU and virtually. The seventh annual Dallas Startup Week powered by Capital One is Dallas-Fort Worth's largest event focused on driving entrepreneurial success, economic impact, and innovation in the region.
-
Rootines helps the neurodiverse community by tracking their daily moods and routines. Developed initially for those on the autism spectrum, the app will soon support patients with other conditions like ADHD and bi-polar disorder. The $1 million angel investment was provided by Pittsburgh-based Determined Capital.
-
22-year-old Dallas native Kush Singh launched Hitch at UT Austin to provide an affordable rideshare in the 50-350 mile range. Now, Hitch looks to expand beyond Texas and become a national household name post-pandemic.
-
The app turns your smartphone into a "virtual fitting room" with machine learning and AR tech.
-
The investment from Silverton Partners will help the North Texas-based company scale. "BILT has created a technology the world desperately needs. I can't imagine in five years, we'll still be dealing with paper instructions," says Silverton Managing Partner Morgan Flager.
