Safe transportation is a fundamental concern for women, particularly for those who do not own a car, and women-only transport services have emerged as a solution for many women looking for a reliable and safe mode of transport as they go about their daily lives.
The response to an advertisement in a WhatsApp group for residents of a housing compound near Cairo indicated the demand for this kind of transport. The ad offered transportation services exclusively for women in the compound, available at any time for both routine tasks and emergencies.
Marwa, a resident, did not think she needed to use the service as she typically buys everything she needs nearby. However, one night she turned to the women’s transportation group when she had to be taken to hospital after she experienced abdominal pain.
“My husband wasn’t at home, and I didn’t want to worry my mother, who lives a long way away, so I thought of reaching out to the women who had advertised in the compound’s WhatsApp group,” Marwa said.
Within 10 minutes, a woman in a mid-range vehicle arrived, drove her to the hospital, waited for her, and brought her back home.
Hala, founder of the transportation service for female residents of the compound, said “I took the initiative after listening to many women express concerns about using ride-hailing apps, especially for trips scheduled for early in the morning or late at night.”
“I introduced the idea in the compound’s WhatsApp group, offering every possible reassurance to those who were interested. I supply my address in the compound as well as copies of my national ID card, driver’s licence, and car registration certificate available for any woman who wishes to review them,” she added.
With the rising demand for services, “I couldn’t keep up with the demand, so I suggested to some of my friends that they join me. We divided ourselves into shifts to accommodate requests from compound residents, as well as others who got to know about us through word of mouth.”
“One third of the fare we charge goes towards fuel, another third towards vehicle maintenance, and the remaining third is profit. Other variables also factor into the cost. For instance, if I drop off a passenger and have to return alone, I include the return trip in the total fare,” Hala said.
“If the distance is 10 km, for example, the fuel is calculated at LE2.5, and then there is LE2.5 for maintenance and LE2.5 as profit. If I return without the passenger, I add the same, or slightly less, so the total cost per km ends up ranging between LE12 and LE15.”
Hala had earlier worked for a women-only delivery platform, though this experience did not meet her expectations. “The scheduling process was complicated, part of the profit went to the company, and payments were delayed,” she said.
Nariman ended up being a driver after a terrible experience with cars. For three years, she avoided learning how to drive due to a traumatic accident that left her fearful of being behind the wheel. Eventually, she decided to overcome her fear by enrolling in a women-only driving course.
She learned to drive with the help of a female instructor, but she remained anxious about driving on the Cairo Ring Road. To ease her fears, she would take the instructor along during trips for reassurance.
Maha also hired a driving instructor, not just to teach her, but also to drive her and her daughter to club training sessions until she felt confident enough to drive on her own.
Instructor Zizi Mohamed said that transporting women was not part of her original job description, but after she began giving lessons and receiving frequent requests from her students, she decided to offer transportation services for women as well. She also subscribed to ride-hailing apps that cater exclusively to female passengers.
She said that she was seeking an additional source of income to maintain her car and eventually upgrade it. However, despite registering with women-focused ride apps, the returns were minimal. “I often had to wait for hours before receiving a ride request, which made the work financially unsustainable,” she added.
Reem Fawzi, the founder of the first women-only transportation company in Egypt, said that “we launched the company in 2015 with pink cars and with professional licences held by female drivers.”
“The idea emerged from a growing sense of insecurity. At the time, there were many incidents of harassment against women, especially in public transportation and taxis, and things became more urgent for me after the daughter of a friend of mine had a traumatic experience. A taxi driver harassed her, and she attempted to jump out of the vehicle. That’s when my friend suggested that I start a company dedicated exclusively to transporting women.” Fawzi said.
“At first, I encountered some challenges with the Traffic Department. Because the concept was new, there was some hesitation about issuing professional licences to women. But the Ministry of Interior was understanding, and when we explained that our goal was to provide safe transportation and job opportunities for women, it supported us.”
“We had to offer higher salaries to attract female drivers, and demand far exceeded the number of vehicles we had,” she said. “In 2016, app-based delivery companies began entering the Egyptian market, and we discovered that our prices were higher and we didn’t serve all areas of Cairo. Then we allowed our women drivers to use their own cars for work.”
Fawzi said that “candidates must have at least a mid-level educational qualification and be proficient in English” in order to work for the company. “We administer a driving test, conduct a security background check, and require proof of residence to ensure passenger safety.”
She noted that the company’s app enables customers to track their journey via GPS. Additionally, all the drivers receive training on safety protocols, professional conduct, and child protection.
“Some areas are marked as off-limits, however, either because they do not accept female drivers or because they are areas where women may face some difficulties. The company does not accept ride requests from these locations,” she said.
“We’ve worked hard to shift societal perceptions and promote the acceptance of women in all the professions,” she said. “Over time, the signature pink cars have disappeared from the streets, and our vehicles are now unmarked. But we still face greater demand than we have drivers for, especially during school hours.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the company launched additional services, including food delivery services for women. “Our project was never just about profit. It was about creating safe job opportunities for women. We support the Baheya Hospital through donations as well and stand behind all causes that empower Egyptian women,” Fawzi said.
She has some advice for women drivers in Cairo. “Avoid going to remote or sparsely populated areas. Do not stop for strangers in the street. And always keep the back doors locked, especially if you have children in the car.”
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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