Ridesharing apps can be a bit intimidating, especially for women riding alone.
A survey showed that as many as 79% of women put their safety as a priority for their choice in a ridesharing app.
Such a problem is one of the primary focuses of the ridesharing app Safr, meant to promote a safer alternative for everyone involved.
If you’ve been looking for a ridesharing app that puts your safety first, we’re here to help.
Here’s a quick guide on Safr and what it offers over its competitors.
What is Safr?
Safr is a ridesharing app made to promote safety and empowerment for women.
Many women feel unsafe getting into a stranger’s vehicle.
Whether it be a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or any other ridesharing method, women are more likely to consider their safety than other genders.
Thousands of women have reported sexual assault incidents in Ubers, either verbal or physical.
While this is a relatively tiny number compared to the billions of Uber rides given, it’s enough to give many riders pause.
Safr is meant to give an alternative that women can use without fear for their safety and help keep their rights reserved and upheld.
Beyond simple ridesharing, Safr is dedicated to providing opportunities for women.
Many drivers are women to help counteract the low employment rates of women drivers in ridesharing apps.
As a whole, Safr is focused “on the safety and empowerment of women” in every way.
Additionally, Safr drivers are paid more than the industry standard to help promote financial security.
There are also company incentives for drivers to help provide best-in-class service.
The Safest Ridesharing App
Built with a focus on safety above all, Safr implements several features to obtain this.
It’s also important to note that female passengers aren’t the only ones that feel unsafe.
Female ridesharing drivers also feel hesitant picking up unknown passengers.
Safr works to help provide a platform that can make both the customer and employee feel safer.
It’s a great alternative to help you ride peacefully without as many concerns for your safety.
Related: Is Uber or Lyft safer?
How Does Safr Work?
Safr works like any other ridesharing app.
Approved users request a ride to their destination and wait for a Safr driver to pick them up.
The app will also let you access control functions to set up your pre-determined SOS contacts and other safety features.
Drivers are thoroughly vetted and are made to undergo a comprehensive background check.
Riders are not approved without meeting the “Safr Standard” to ensure that every driver with the company is one that riders can feel they’re in safe hands.
There are plenty of other safety features that riders and drivers can expect, such as facial recognition and live video.
One unique safety measure is that drivers and riders are assigned colors once a ride is accepted.
When a rider is being picked up, both must match their colors to each other.
The method is much more reliable than hoping you recognize your driver’s face.
Riders and drivers both also have access to an SOS function if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Either party can use this feature to contact Safr, an emergency contact, or 911 to get help as soon as possible.
A premier facial recognition platform also helps improve safety and surveillance.
A command center feature also helps Safr with 24/7 real-time monitoring.
The command center tracks rides to ensure safety and provide the best experience they possibly can.
Operational efficiency is also improved with features from the command center, such as a real time camera.
The command center can help with accident detection and any threat recognition event.
Who Should Use Safr?
Though Safr is designed with women in mind, people of all genders are encouraged to use the app.
To quote the company themselves, “Safr does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and/or any other characteristic.”
The app is designed to help promote greater gender balance.
Safr should be used by anyone who wants better safety in their commute.
If you’re hesitant to use Uber, Lyft, or any other ridesharing method due to safety, Safr was made with you in mind.
Safr Cities: Where is Safr Available?
Safr hasn’t yet reached a broad community but is available in half a dozen cities as of now.
More cities and locations are added regularly as the company continues to grow.
The following locations are currently available for Safr:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Dallas, Texas
- Orlando, Florida
- San Francisco, California
- Washington, D.C.
Currently, however, Safr has stopped offering its riding services.
The website states that they will still offer rides to “battered and abused women through partner institutions.”
The change is to ensure the safety of riders and drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this time, Safr has also stopped deliveries.
They intend to resume their services when the CDC believes such services are safe to offer.
Safr also launched the Safr Care platform to help address the needs of non-emergency medical transportation.
Safr has given no updates on when they intend to resume full service.
How Much Does a Safr Ride Cost?
The cost of a Safr ride depends on how long of a drive your destination is.
Safr also charges a $5.00 fixed charge if a ride is canceled after five minutes of requesting it to cover the fee of having the driver accept your request.
Rich metadata is used to help track riding costs.
How Can I Get a Ride with Safr?
Becoming a Safr rider is much easier than being a driver.
Like with other ridesharing apps, you can join Safr by downloading the app.
You also will only be able to get a ride in the cities mentioned above and any future locations that they expand to.
You can obtain safe transportation with the app so long as it’s offered in your city.
Download the Safr App
The Safr app is available for iPhone or Android.
Safr does not restrict your access as a rider and does not put riders through the same background check as drivers.
You will be able to request a ride once you have installed the app with no further hoops to jump through.
The app will help pair you with a like-minded driver, a feature made specifically to help comfort women riders.
You can also find performance cookies and notifications within the app.
How Can I Be a Driver For Safr?
Becoming a driver for Safr is a thorough and intense process compared to other ridesharing apps such as an Uber driver.
Safr drivers are expected to fulfill many requirements to ensure that anyone driving for the company is a trustworthy and reputable individual that can keep their riders safe.
The criteria for joining Safr as a driver is one of the strictest in the industry.
To begin with, drivers must be at least 21 years old and have a valid U.S. social security number.
Drivers must also have a valid license that is both active and in good standing for a minimum of three years.
That means that not getting your license until you’re 20 blocks you from being a driver once you meet the 21 age requirement.
Past these, drivers also must use a four-door vehicle that seats at least five, counting the driver, passenger, and back seats.
The vehicle also must be no older than 15 years old and in “good condition” to increase comfort and lower the chance of vehicular issues during the ride.
Safr also requires drivers to pass a motor vehicle history check.
The company will not accept a driver that was found at fault for a vehicular accident in the past year.
If you were in an accident but weren’t at fault, you’re in the clear – Safr won’t restrict you for someone else rear-ending you, for example.
Comprehensive background checks are also necessary, and Safr will bar anyone who has been convicted of a crime in the past 10 years.
Drivers cannot have been convicted of any crime, from the most minor to the most severe.
If you pass all of these criteria, you still must have your application reviewed.
If Safr feels you fit with them, you’ll be invited for an in-person interview.
The interview must be completed before you can start driving with the Safr app.
Such a thorough vetting process helps Safr ensure that they aren’t letting any unsafe drivers slip through the cracks.
If you’re looking for a safe ridesharing app, Safr is undoubtedly the most secure on the market for riders.
Drivers are so thoroughly vetted and checked that the chance of finding a driver that hasn’t met the Safr Standards is practically non-existent.
Features like Safr facial recognition enhanced women’s safety, and better tracking accuracy helps make it the safest on the market.
That said, drivers can’t claim the same.
A lack of vetting or checks on users approved to request a ride means that drivers can sometimes have a rider that makes them uncomfortable.
While riders can request a like minded driver, drivers can’t always say the same.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other features in hand to help a driver get out of a situation they don’t want to be in.
If you’d like more information on Safr and ridesharing apps, contact us.
You can also browse our informative website to learn more.
