The Rise of Female-Only Taxi Services in Mexico City
In a city where the threat of violence looms over every street, a growing number of women are taking control of their safety by creating and operating all-female taxi services. These initiatives are not just about transportation—they represent a broader movement for empowerment and security in a society where women face significant risks on a daily basis.
A New Approach to Safety
For many women in Mexico City, the act of commuting can be fraught with danger. Reports of violent crimes against both drivers and passengers have become increasingly common, leading to a heightened sense of fear among those who rely on public transport or rideshare services. In response, some female drivers have taken it upon themselves to create safer alternatives. One such initiative is AmorrAs, a collective of women cabbies that serves only female passengers. Founded by Ruth Rojas and her daughter Karina Alba, this service aims to provide a secure environment for women traveling alone.
AmorrAs operates as more than just a business—it functions as a solidarity group, offering support and resources to its members. Lawyers and psychologists within the collective provide pro-bono counsel to women navigating the challenges of a dangerous city. Since its launch in 2023, the group has gained a loyal following, averaging over 100 rides per month. Clients can book their services online or by phone, and each ride is monitored by a real person at the collective, who tracks the car’s real-time location and is available to respond in case of any issue.
Personal Stories of Resilience
Ruth Rojas, a 49-year-old driver, has experienced firsthand the dangers of working in a male-dominated industry. She recalls an incident where three men pulled a gun on her and tried to steal her car while she was working. Despite these threats, she continues to drive, motivated by a desire to support her family and maintain her independence.
“I go into neighborhoods like Chimalhuacán, Ixtapaluca, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Atizapán and see people selling drugs or robbing others on the street. It’s very complicated and scary, but I’ve learned it’s part of my job,” she said. Her black hair pulled tightly back in the humidity, Rojas counts out 300 pesos (about $16 USD) to the mechanic sweating under a single bare lightbulb, and we set off again in the dark.
Rojas’ experience highlights the challenges faced by female drivers in Mexico City. While she tries to pick her rides as carefully as she can based on scant profile details, she still encounters high-crime “red zones” that pose a risk to her safety. Despite this, she remains committed to her work, viewing it as a way to prove that women can succeed in traditionally male-dominated fields.
The Impact of Violence on Women
The issue of violence against women in Mexico City is not just a local concern—it is a national crisis. According to a 2018 UN Women report, nearly nine out of 10 women polled said they had experienced violence in public transportation or public spaces in Mexico City. In 2021, a Mexican government survey also found that 10% of women polled had experienced physical violence within the past year.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for change. President Claudia Sheinbaum has declared her term a “time for women” and vowed to crack down on gender-based violence, while Mexico City in August launched a new division of police focused on fighting women-targeted crimes. However, stories about friends or family members attacked or disappeared while trying to get somewhere are still common.
“I know friends whose mothers have disappeared, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that they were involved in something bad, but rather that they went out to the store, to study, to work. Suddenly, your mother can disappear, or your niece from school,” said Dulce Navarro, a regular customer of AmorrAs.
The Role of Technology in Safety
While technology has provided some tools to enhance safety, it is not a complete solution. Rideshare apps like DiDi and Uber offer features such as automated trip-tracking, passenger and driver ratings, and the ability to preview a destination. Both companies also include an emergency or “SOS” feature which connects users’ phones to the local equivalent of 911, the ability to make audio recordings of rides, an automated detection of “anomalies” like unusually long stops, and round-the-clock incident response teams.
However, despite these measures, incidents of violence continue to occur. Earlier this year, protests erupted outside of Uber’s Mexico City offices after Uber driver Karla Patricia Cortés, a 41-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot while working on a Sunday afternoon in December. Cortés had access to Uber’s emergency safety features, but her last moments were recorded on December 29 by a local resident’s security camera in the quiet Azcapotzalco neighborhood: Cortés’ white car parked innocuously in the residential street, the sudden crack of gunshots, and then her body pushed out of the passenger side onto the curb—along with a stuffed bear that she liked to keep in the car as a talisman.
A Right to Work
For many women, the decision to work is not just about financial independence—it is about asserting their right to be seen and heard. Ruth Rojas, who rejects the label of feminist, emphasizes that her motivation is not ideological but practical. “We as women go out to work because we want to be useful. When a system tells us that we can’t do something, or that we don’t know how to do what men do—it’s not self-centered to say ‘I’m going to prove that I can.’ It is simply to avoid feeling diminished.”
Her words reflect a broader sentiment among women in Mexico City, who are determined to carve out their place in a society that often overlooks their contributions. As the city grapples with its ongoing security crisis, the rise of female-only taxi services offers a glimmer of hope—a testament to the resilience and determination of women who refuse to be silenced.
