New Ride-Sharing Service Comes to Traverse City

There’s a new ride-sharing service in Traverse City that’s helping people get around town faster and easier.

TransportHer works just like Uber.

People download their app and request a ride.

The company tried to get everyone around town safely, with a big focus on helping children, women and the elderly.

The service started in Traverse City about two weeks ago, and ever since then their phones have been ringing off the hook.

9&10’s Caroline Powers and photojournalist Jeremy Erickson rode around with the new transportation service to see how it works.    

“It was like oh my gosh that is exactly what I need.”

For the past couple weeks, 87-year-old Lucy Hofmann has considered moving away from Traverse City to a place with more accessible transportation.

That changed Wednesday morning when she learned about TransportHer.

“I’ve been talking about it for so long and finally we have this wonderful option,” Lucy Hofmann says. “Now I’m reconsidering my move.”

TransportHer allows people to request rides in Traverse City from an app on their phone.

“It’s quick, it’s when you want it, where you want to go,” says Pat Bazley, TransportHer driver. “You’re not calling and waiting a long time for someone to show up.”

With a name like TransportHer, the service is focusing in on children, women and the elderly. Their main objective is to make sure their drivers and riders stay safe.

“The driver has the opportunity also to say what they’re comfortable with. So if I see someone that has requested a ride, male or female, and I don’t feel comfortable with that I can say no and not accept them in my car,” Bazley says. “So the driver has as much safety and protection as the rider does and that’s what I really like about this service.”

TransportHer has about 10 drivers right now.

By this summer they want to hire at least 20-30 more male and female drivers.

Drivers will take you wherever you want to go for $1.25 per mile plus $0.25 per minute.

Right now you can pay in cash, but the service will be expanding to accept credit cards soon.

You can download the app for free on your iPhone or Android.

If you’re interested in more information or applying to become a driver, .