Women-only cabs to steer the way to empowerment

Coimbatore: A city-based cab aggregator is all set to launch a service by women, of women and for women, touted as the first such venture in Tamil Nadu.
Called Pink Taxi, the cars will be piloted by women and accept only women passengers. “We will officially launch the service on June 6, with a fleet of seven cars and hope to add more based on the demand,” managing director of Red Taxi Peter Kirubakaran said. “The cabs will be available from 6am to 10.30pm,” he told TOI.
The firm said it was an initiative to employ and empower more women, along with making women passengers feel safe. “With a lot of negative publicity due to crimes happening in cabs, many women are scared to take cabs alone, especially at night. While we have added safety features in the app, we felt cabs with women drivers will make them feel safer,” said managing director US Deepak.
Pink Taxi, which has been conducting trial run in the city for the last three months, uses mini sedans like Etios and Liva.
The seven cars, which are on the road, are owned by Red Taxi. All the drivers are permanent employees. “However, we want to encourage more women to buy vehicles and attach themselves to our app. We are planning to waive commissions for the first year to encourage them,” said Kirubakaran.
The seven drivers are former autorickshaw drivers, driving school instructors and school van drivers, among others. “Though our first lot are experienced female drivers, we want to encourage freshers also. We can introduce them to the Maruti Driving School and absorb them,” Kirubakaran said.
Priya Joseph, a former driving school instructor from Sowripalayam, said the experience of being a cab driver during the trial run has been gratifying. “The passengers are excited to ride with us and often request for selfies. They also motivate us,” she said.
Krithika R, a resident of Saibaba Colony, who booked a ride using the Red Taxi app, was so impressed with the service that she posted a selfie with the driver on Instagram, calling it the “safest, proudest and most fun cab ride” she had taken so far.