Two entrepreneurs are addressing the issue of rideshare safety head-on with a new app that has a fleet of exclusively female-identified drivers.
by Candace Mittel
(Above photo of Stotts [left] and Arzayus [right])
Last month, I wrote an article challenging Uber and Lyft to add an app feature that would allow women passengers to choose women drivers. Although neither Uber nor Lyft have since addressed the request, a new company, RideSqirl, popped up on the rideshare scene just in time. Currently finishing up beta-testing in Minneapolis, the women at RideSqirl believe that everyone should have access to safe transportation, and to them, that means no fear of sexual harassment. I spoke with CEOs Karissa Stotts and Jen Arzayus to find out more about how RideSqirl, hoping to publicly launch by mid-march, aims to be the safest rideshare option on the streets for everyone.
Candace Mittel: What led you to create RideSqirl? Tell us a bit about the story behind your company.
Jen Arzayus: Karissa and I met while working in street outreach, helping youth and teens who face homelessness and domestic violence. We both worked in separated shelters before meeting, and we had both individually started collecting stories of women who experienced harassment and discrimination while taking taxicabs (i.e. drivers asking to come inside, asking for a phone number, harassing LGBTQ riders, propositioning intoxicated riders and women working in strip clubs, etc.). Karissa and I became fast friends and during several in-depth conversations about sexual harassment, we decided that we wanted to start a taxi service that only had female-identified drivers as a safe alternative to the male-dominated taxi companies that currently exist. But once we started researching, we realized the future of transportation is TNCs (Transportation Network Companies). We found Ben Pedersen, an innovator in app development, and we ran with it.
CM: We have to know… where did the name RideSqirl come from? There has to be a story behind that!
JA: Well, we were brainstorming, and Karissa loves feeding squirrels in the park. Karissa commented that “squirrels scurry about, and they get places fast and with a purpose.” And we want our company to be purpose and mission driven! We added the ride at the beginning to distinguish us as a transportation company and then we spelled “sqirl” so it looks like girl! Oh, and I designed the logo with blue in mind because I love the color blue. And that’s how we got to RideSqirl.
CM: When did this project launch? What stage of development are you in now?
JA: We haven’t publicly launched due to insurance barriers. With all of the negative Uber publicity, it’s been hard finding someone who feels comfortable insuring a local rideshare app. We are finishing up our beta-testing of the app and hope to be in the iOS and Google Play Store by mid-March. We are also currently accepting interested drivers to be interviewed and hope to publicly launch at the end of March.
CM: Do you, as CEOs, have personal stories to share about previous taxi/Uber experiences that made you uncomfortable?
JA: I was a taxi-driver in Philadelphia for two years and faced a lot of gender discrimination as the only female driver on the fleet. And as riders, we have both personally experienced harassment while taking taxis.
Karissa Stotts: Two years ago, I was in New York City and took a taxi alone. It was in the middle of the day, so I didn’t feel unsafe… until the driver started asking me sexual questions. I asked him to stop driving and to let me get out of the car, but he refused until we finished the conversation. I reported him to his supervisor and was told he would be written up, which hardly felt like justice.
JA: Where do I even start? As a genderqueer-identified person, I have faced so much harassment, and because I don’t currently have a car, I rely on taxis and rideshares a lot. It’s scary sometimes. I have found myself late at night alone and desperate for a ride, only to be asked why I’m dressed like a boy. Drivers commonly either want to “save” me with their religious talks or get my pants down so they can see what my genitals look like.
CM: What then makes RideSqirl the safest rideshare option for women?
KS: RideSqirl is the safest option for all people, not just women and genderqueer people, because we will meet with and come to know each and every one of our drivers. They will all be trained in our mission of acceptance for all. Never will a woman be picked up from a domestic violence shelter and asked personal questions about her situation. Never will a gay man be picked up from a club and forced to engage in a conversation about personal religious beliefs. Never will a youth or teen be picked up and asked to exchange sex for a free ride. In being picky with our drivers and by starting small, we will have the opportunity to develop a unique training series that ensure our drivers are qualified and safe for everyone.
CM: What about women drivers? Is that a safety a concern of yours? (Namely, do you think that having only female-identified drivers, while anyone can be a passenger, could endanger these drivers?)
JA: Karissa and I have had a lot of debate around this. We have talked about teaching our drivers self-defense, having cameras in the cars during rides, and other creative options to ensure that our drivers are safe, because they are our priority. But all of those options feel fear-based, which is part what we want to get away from. We know that feminist-led companies are targeted by misogynists, which is why we want to reach out to men in the community for support. Additionally, our drivers will be in control of where the car is going and can force a rider to get out at anytime if she is uncomfortable. We also have a hotline both riders and drivers can call if they feel unsafe.
CM: How is RideSqirl different from SheTaxis? Are they a competitor in your mind?
JA: We love the idea of SheTaxis! We are so happy they exist and in no way feel they are a competitor. The more transportation options people have, the better. From our understanding, we differ in that SheTaxis has a fleet of cars and operates under a more traditional transportation model and will only pick up women (or a mixed group) and RideSqirl operates as a rideshare that picks up anyone.
CM: I’ve heard that the main issue with rideshare companies having women only drivers is that it may conflict with sex discrimination statutes. How have you handled and dealt with these types of legal setbacks?
KS: We have not faced any legal setbacks thus far in Minneapolis, and if and when that happens, we plan on fighting those statutes head on. As a transportation network company, we have no employees and therefore are not violating any hiring practices. We are creating a platform for riders of all genders to find female-identified drivers.
CM: What is RideSqirl’s most challenging obstacle today?
JA: The biggest obstacle with launching is definitely insurance and finding the funds to expand our team. Karissa and I are building this company from nothing and have very little to invest financially. We are both currently teachers at a girl-focused feminist school, Laura Jeffrey Academy. Karissa teaches language arts, and I teach art to 5th through 8th graders. Teaching daily at a feminist school is so rewarding, and balancing our teaching work with our work to build RideSqirl, which is equally rewarding for similar reasons, is so challenging. We realize how much RideSqirl is needed, and we are dedicated to making a company with purpose; a company that cares about community and gives back.
CM: What is RideSqirl’s biggest goal for the future?
Both: Our goal is to start small in Minneapolis, and once we know our operations are successful and sustainable, we want to expand to other cities (and eventually other countries). In one year, we hope to be downloaded on the phone of every college student and person needing a safe ride. In five years, we hope to have working contracts with every domestic violence shelter, school, hospital, and nonprofit that transports people via taxicabs. Within five years, we also want to be identified as the top app that will change your life. In ten years, we hope to be part of research that studies how our company’s model has led to a decrease in sexual harassment in the transportation industry.
(Photo courtesy of RideSqirl)
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Candace Mittel is a recent graduate of Northwestern University where she studied Mathematics, Jewish Studies and Creative Writing Nonfiction (and no, they are not connected, but she’s open to suggestions). She currently lives in Chicago and teaches/encourages students to love math. Candace enjoys listening/singing to the Les Mis soundtrack and eating a superbly ripe avocado or mango. Read more of her feature work for The Riveter here and see more of her writing on her website Jerusalem Medley.
