The couple were inspired to launch the service over safety fears women close to them have experienced
Heels N Wheels hope to launch very soon in Belfast before expanding their service across NI
Northern Ireland has been highlighted as one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman, with research showing that 98% of women have experienced violence or abuse, and more than one in four girls face threats or harassment in public spaces.
In response to that, Belfast couple George Weir, 47, and wife Annemarie, 43, are developing a new taxi service driven by women for women. The service aims to give passengers a safer way to travel and is already attracting positive support online.
Weir said, “We recognised the fear and poor experience some family members had with other public transport, so we’re looking to register the business as ‘heelsNwheels’. It will begin in Belfast and then be upscaled to every major town and city in NI.
READ MORE: Meet the Belfast woman helping domestic abuse victims reclaim their power through martial artsREAD MORE: Map shows locations of 29 women murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020
Weir added that he and his wife were inspired to start the service because they have four daughters and understand the importance of women feeling safe when travelling.
The aspiring business has been met with positivity online. Weir told us, “Last week we set up the Facebook page and now have over 2.1k followers. People have made donations on TikTok, and 60 people have already signed up for the waitlist.” Adding “so proud to see the women of Ni standing together”
The service will be an app based service for young people and also include a phone service for older people being inclusive to all women.
The app pledges to have female drivers you can trust, real-time tracking and safety alerts, and an “I’m home safe” button.
The service is still In development but after such a positive reaction online the couple hope to have the service up and running soon.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.