Ride & Mobility

Vruum Expands Women-Only Ride Service for Safety

Published

5 months ago

March 17, 2025

Visakhapatnam: To address worries regarding women’s safety when sharing a ride, entrepreneur Srujana Padi has set up Vruum, a mobility platform that lets women choose women drivers to reach their destination. Such a service is already available in Jaipur and Ahmedabad, apart from Visakhapatnam. Plans are to extend the service to the Delhi-NCR in April.

The application under tagline Vruum: Your Journey, Our Priority is currently available for download on Google Play and iOS. Vruum is a competitively priced cab service integrated with other transport services, including auto-rickshaws and bikes.
Vruum founder says there exists a huge gap in the ride-hailing services industry, with drivers giving away too much of their income to rest of the value chain. “A lot of them end up receiving only 20–30 per cent of the earnings they should, while platform owners benefit greatly. Further, there are considerable challenges when it comes to the safety of women travellers. Vruum addresses these issues. It ensures that drivers’ wages are not siphoned off. It provides a safer travel experience for women by ensuring women drivers,” Srujana underlined.
Since its launch, the platform has seen rapid growth, starting with 300 registered vehicles to over 3,000 now. The initiative is particularly focused on increasing employment opportunities for women drivers, allowing them to operate in a secure and supportive environment.

Despite safety measures taken by various ride-hailing companies and authorities, many women still feel vulnerable while traveling alone, particularly at night, or on two-wheelers. Traffic congestion and cost-effectiveness have made two-wheeler rides a popular choice. Yet many women hesitate to use these services due to safety concerns.

Vruum addresses these issues by allowing passengers to specifically choose female drivers. The registration process for both drivers and passengers includes Aadhaar verification, ensuring a secure environment. The platform also features an SOS button which, when activated, alerts the nearest Vruum driver and the police, ensuring swift response in emergencies.

Speaking with Deccan Chronicle, Srujana said the app also allows users to book rides for family members or friends, specifying the need for a female driver.

Lohita R, a manager at a jewellery store, shares with DC her perspective: “I often work late hours. Booking rides at night can be both costly and unsafe. While I appreciate the affordability of two-wheeler rides, I’ve always felt uneasy sitting behind a male driver. Vruum offers a great solution for women like me who need safe and reliable transport. However, the app needs an update to improve its verification process, as currently, anyone can select a female driver,” Lohita pointed out.

Similarly, Ananya M, a university student from Palasa, recounts her experience as a delivery agent for online platforms. “I registered as a delivery girl. But I have often felt unsafe. There wasn’t an option to select only women customers. Vruum offers a much-needed alternative. I’m excited about trying it,” she said.

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Joby Said to Weigh Deal for Helicopter Ride-Share Operator Blade

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$21 million for ‘Clean Mobility’ in New York State

Published

2 days ago

August 1, 2025

Ciaran Daly

In other words, the funding will go towards ‘demonstration projects’ for schemes such as car-sharing, ride hailing, e-bikes, e-scooters, shared EVs and on-demand electric public transport – rather than private passenger EVs. The funding will be available to local governments, public transport operators, ‘community-based organisations’, or employers with 1000+ employees.

Applicants must submit proposals for their demonstration projects including a complete planning document covering community engagement, site and partner identification, technical feasibility assessments, and policy / regulatory assessments. A cost share of a minimum of 20 per cent of the total project cost in other funding will be required. Up to $3 million will be awarded per individual project.

Part of the funding pool will be set aside for specific areas of the state, including up to $3 million for any type of demonstration project in the Bronx.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said: “The Clean Mobility Program represents a major step forward in delivering economic opportunity and cleaner transportation to underserved communities across Upstate New York. By investing in ridesharing, micro mobility, and on-demand transportation options, we’re expanding access to jobs, public transit, while also reducing emissions.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris added: “Supporting electric vehicle ride sharing, e-bikes, e-scooters and other sustainable, affordable mobility options helps keep people engaged and active in their communities. We look forward to receiving innovative demonstration proposals that offer the opportunity to help New Yorkers maintain transportation independence and can be replicated and adopted throughout the state for the benefit of all.”

The deadline for proposals is September 25, 2025.

governor.ny.gov

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