WOMEN are exposed to various dangers, even when taking public transport.
In a situation where danger exists everywhere, the opportunity to use e-hailing services specifically for women provides a tremendous relief for this group, especially for those who are often alone.
Known as MakCik Travels, the e-hailing service – which started operating in November 2018 – is able to compete with other services in the market.
Starting with just 20 drivers, MakCik Travels now has 289 employees, including drivers and companions nicknamed AdiNita, or Adiwira Wanita.
Its founder, Dr Sazlina Kamaralzaman, said the idea of setting up MakCik Travels was sparked when her daughter, Siti Sarah Anuar, 20, was a student of Kajang Vocational College, offered vehicle sharing services to female friends who wanted to go to nearby destinations.
She said the services offered by Siti Sarah received a very encouraging response, and it led to the two of them spreading their wings to the community in Bangi, Selangor.
To make it different from other e-hailing companies, MakCik Travels introduced an escort service to help senior citizens and women who need helpers or companions to clinics, hospitals or other destinations.
“The MakCik Travel service initially only started with the MakCik Drives and MakCik Chaperone services, which are the same services as taxis and escorts for any customers who need special assistance.
"The Covid-19 pandemic that has hit the country since last year prompted us to add a branch of the service, and now MakCik Travels also has a service known as Health Companions," she told Getaran.
Sazlina said Health Companions will help and accompany clients who need to attend a health check-up or undergo treatment.
More interestingly, Health Companions also offers to accompany customers to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
MakCik Travels has received around 800 bookings, not only in the Klang Valley but in several other states such as Kedah, Perak, Johor, Negri Sembilan and Kelantan.
“MakCik Travels' goal is to empower women, including housewives, single mothers and university students who want to generate income.
"Through MakCik Travels as well, some drivers also take on additional duties by being escorts to enable them to earn more income," she said.
Commenting further, she said, any woman who wants to try her luck as a driver or escort, needs to undergo an interview and evaluation first.
“For the job as a driver, the mandatory condition is to have a valid driving license, while the vehicle is well maintained.
"Additional training will be given to the Escorts, as the majority of customers are senior citizens who need special treatment and attention," she added.
Sazlina said, all drivers and escorts under the auspices of MakCik Travels receive about 80% of the fee charged.
"For driver or escort reservations, it must be made at least two hours in advance, and our company has a mobile application to facilitate booking, as well as a tracking system for drivers and escorts for security purposes.
"Customers can download the MakCik Travels app and can get prices for the required services after entering important information," she explained.
Sazlina said they also plan to reach out to certain organisations to help employees generate lucrative income through MakCik Travels.
“We want to hold entrepreneurship courses for women with disabilities, single mothers, housewives and their families who want to generate their own income by managing the MakCik Travels service branch.
"It is believed to help this group have their own role in the community," she added. – The Vibes, June 5, 2021
* This story originally appeared in Getaran, written by Rubini Nagarajah
