PETALING JAYA: Some women passengers are willing to wait an extra 20 to 30 minutes for e-hailing driver Hamisah Mohd Shaari because they feel safer knowing a woman is behind the wheel.
For the 48-year-old single mother of four, such trust underscores the need for a women-only ride service that pairs female drivers with female passengers.
Having worked in the e-hailing industry since 2016, Hamisah said this preference was particularly evident among women travelling alone, especially at night or when heading to the airport in the early hours of the morning.
Some passengers, she added, were comfortable enough to relax or even fall asleep once they realised their driver was a woman.
Hamisah said she understood why women wanted to feel safe when travelling alone, having experienced her own issues when she first ventured into the e-hailing industry.
After spending 15 years in banking, she was initially apprehensive, particularly when it came to accepting cash-paying passengers, some of whom registered under unusual names.
Over time, safety features such as in-app audio recording, route-deviation alerts and an emergency button that shares locations with registered contacts and connects directly to the police helped ease her concerns.
Beyond these safeguards, Hamisah has also found support and companionship among fellow female e-hailing drivers.
“Sometimes, we can’t help monetarily, but listening makes a lot of difference,” she said, adding that women-only rides is not just about giving passengers greater reassurance but also creating opportunities for women to earn an income and build a support network within the industry.
For passengers, the appeal lies largely in the added comfort and peace of mind, especially when travelling alone. However, waiting times can be longer because there are fewer female drivers available.
Corporate executive Tinah Zainal, 33, from Kuala Lumpur, said she had used the service several times and felt more at ease with a woman behind the wheel.
“It gives me peace of mind because I don’t have to worry as much about my safety or feel socially awkward.
“I particularly prefer a female driver when travelling alone in an unfamiliar or potentially unsafe area late at night or in the early hours of the morning, provided one is available nearby,” she added.
She hoped for more services and facilities that prioritised women’s safety, citing women-only coaches on KTM and MRT as examples.
University student Nurquitina Batrisyia Ammirul, 18, shared similar sentiments.
The information technology diploma student said she prefers female drivers for late-night journeys, long-distance trips, and when travelling with children.
“Ideally, everyone should feel safe everywhere, but until we reach that point, dedicated alternatives provide practical safety nets that empower women to navigate public spaces with greater confidence,” she said.
