A female ride-share company driven by women for women has arrived in the Bundaberg Region.
Shebah was officially launched in Australia in March 2017 and is the only active all-female ride-share service getting women and children where they need to go.
Kelli Thurston has recently become Bundaberg's first Shebah driver, making the decision to start with the company after she was made redundant from her previous job.
“It was like a light bulb moment for me,” she said.
“I found out about Shebah through a friend and then I heard an interview about it on radio, that's when I knew I needed to get involved.
“Everything the company stands for, women empowering women, it was all speaking to me.”
Kelli said Shebah was accessible through a mobile app and catered to all women and children who needed to get out and about.
“It's perfect for single mums, for women who have just come out of surgery and can't drive, for those whose car has broken down, for women needing to get home after a late night out- it's for absolutely any woman who needs to get somewhere.
“I can transport your children on their own or with you and take them to and from school or care to their morning or afternoon commitments or anywhere you need them to be.
“Shebah is also pet friendly and caters to all disabilities.”
The beginning of Shebah
In a letter penned to the company's website, founder of female ride-share company Shebah, Georgina McEncroe, said there were many reasons for her creation of the ride-share business.
“I wanted to create a way for women to earn a steady income on her own terms and in her own hours,” she said.
“I also wanted to help other women like myself have a reliable transport option to help take the stress out of their mentally overloaded and busy lives.”
Georgina said as a newly divorced single mother – safety for herself and her children was first and paramount which was the message also translated into her business model.
“Passengers can relax knowing they are protected by Shebah’s strictly vetted female-only driver hiring policies,” she said.
“We are the only rideshare in Australia to require Working with Children Checks. Rides with us will always remain safe, certain and secure.”
Female ride-share Shebah is pro-safety for women
Bundaberg driver Kelli Thurston said the benefits of Shebah were evident for both passengers and drivers alike.
“I used to work for another ride-share company and I can tell you, Shebah is something that women have been calling out for,” she said.
“It's a company that makes women feel comfortable.
“Being in the presence of another woman, especially one that is driving you around, is almost a relief for some because it makes them feel at ease and secure.”
Kelli said being the first Shebah driver in Bundaberg had her feeling over the moon.
“I am so excited to be able to provide this service and to be there for other women,” she said.
“The fact that they will be able to get in my car and feel comfortable and secure is such a great thing.
“It's also a fantastic opportunity for me to be independent again, I really see myself growing with this company.”
Kelli will officially be available through Sheba from Monday and will be a full-time Shebah driver by the start of November.
“You can even pre-book me up to a month in advance so that you are guaranteed a lift to where you need to be,” she said.
To find out more about Shebah click here or download the app here.
If you would like to become a Shebah driver, you can sign up through the website here.
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