Fery Rides launches women-only ride service in Gurugram

Since its launch in 2023, Fery Rides has completed more than 80,000 trips across Gurugram, India. Founded by Ajay Kumar, Vindhya Mehrotra, and Himanshu Chaubey, the women-only service uses a network of female drivers to operate electric bike taxis and cabs. By focusing on female-led transport, the initiative provides a safer way for women to move around the city while opening up new employment paths within the local transportation sector.

The concept began after co-founder Ajay Kumar watched a female friend struggle with feeling unsafe during a standard bike-taxi trip. That experience pointed toward a clear gap in the market for secure transit options. To understand the scale of the issue, the founders spoke with nearly 6,000 students and 200 women at various metro stations. Their research found that 98% of those surveyed preferred traveling with a female driver, a finding that shaped the launch of Fery Rides as a dedicated, secure mobility service.

Currently, the service operates within a 10-km radius of the Millennium City Centre metro station, offering both on-demand bookings and scheduled trips. Every vehicle in the fleet is electric and GPS-enabled. To keep the experience predictable, the company does not use surge pricing. Furthermore, the platform utilizes a directed ride system that prevents drivers from canceling bookings, a move designed to remove the uncertainty and stress often associated with app-based transportation.

Drivers are recruited as “sister partners,” with the company providing comprehensive training for both seasoned motorists and those new to the road. This support includes safety instruction and help with the licensing process. Because the shifts are flexible, many mothers are able to balance their work around family needs. Full-time partners also receive medical insurance and performance-based incentives, helping to build a stable professional environment that supports the broader goal of safe transit.

Expansion is already underway as Fery Rides tests its operations in Delhi and Noida. To fuel this growth, the startup secured Rs 50 lakh from the Startup India Seed Fund and a further Rs 2.075 crore in a seed round led by the Indian Angel Network. The steady growth of the platform highlights the ongoing demand for secure travel options, as the company works to shift the conversation around daily commuting and personal safety for women.