An Uber-like service limited to females and kids is scheduled to launch this month in Boston. The on-demand ride service is limited to women, trans-women, and boys and girls under 13 years old. Chariot for Women will focus on safety, only hire lady drivers, and charge customers similar to traditional taxi fares.    

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The Boston startup is set to launch throughout the United States on April 19. Its pricing will include a base charge as well as a per-mile rate, but no surge pricing., according to Ars Technica.

Meanwhile, the company's concept is similar to Uber. The system will include a driver app and client app, but will also include a safety feature that is missing on other ride-sharing apps.

The company will send a code to drivers and passengers after a customer has asked for a lift, so a pickup can only be made if the two codes match up. In addition, the company will donate 2 percent of all fares to charity.  

As part of the company's focus on safety all of the female drivers will get background checks conducted by domestic abuse charity Safer Places. All potential drivers must also pass a Massachusetts criminal background check. Uber has been sued several times by female passengers who claimed male drivers sexually assaulted them.

Co-founder Michael Pelletz is a former Uber driver. Pelletz shares that he had his first unsafe ride when a man who was unsure where he was stumbled into the car and muttered something about a grandmother's house. After the passenger kept reaching into his pocket and passing out, the driver pulled over the car then ran to get help from a police officer.

Pelletz considered what would have happened if he were a woman driver, and remembered that his wife wanted to drive for a ride-sharing service but was worried about her safety.

Some critics have raised the issue that sex discrimination could be a road block to prevent Chariot for Women from expanding. However, the company's lawyer Chase Liu argued it would not be a legal problem because the goal is to protect privacy, safety, and security.  

In related news, Uber has settled a California lawsuit over drivers' background checks for $10 million, according to Gizmodo. The company must pay the amount within 60 days, and change its advertising and airport policies within 2 years. 

Here are some safety issues for Uber: