UAE | Traffic and Transport

Women's taxis score high on safety and reliability

Women in Abu Dhabi want more vehicles introduced

  • By Samihah Zaman, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 July 15, 2010
  • Gulf News

Women's taxis
  • Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
  • Presently, there are 50 women's taxis on Abu Dhabi roads. Women say they feel much safer in these cabs and are satisfied with the drivers’ knowledge of the roads.

Abu Dhabi: Women residents in the capital have hailed the introduction of  women's taxis and want more of these to be made available.

Frequent passengers of the women-driven taxis told Gulf News that they felt much safer in the cabs, adding that they were very satisfied with the drivers' knowledge of the roads.

Hana Hounaine, 22, a Lebanese student, said she preferred women's taxis when she could find one.

"I've been chatted up so many times by male taxi drivers that I am relieved to see these new cabs.

"I came across them a month ago, and have used a number of them since. Apart from the feeling of safety, what I really liked was how one driver used the GPS to take me to a newly-opened hotel far from the city," Hana said.

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Hana added that the drivers were also responsive to instructions, and that she would love to see more of them around town.

A 24-year-old university student from Libya, Bushra Mohammad, said she regularly used the ladies' taxis to travel to university.

"I used to take the university-provided bus, but I hated the long journey to the campus. Now I have switched to using the women's taxis; I can get to the university in less time with no worries about safety," Bushra said.

Female taxi drivers also reported that residents who used the taxis were delighted to see women behind the wheel.

"Not only do they feel safer in my cab, I too am happy to drive female passengers," said Shirley Portillo, 35, who has been driving one of Al Ghazal's women's taxis for five months.

Portillo added, however, that many residents were still unaware of the taxis.

"Sometimes, men insist on getting into the cab and I have to explain to them that only ladies and boys below the age of ten are allowed. Women also assume that the cabs are more expensive than regular taxis, and I have to tell them that the charges are the same," she said.

Saeed Salem Al Rumaithi, director of corporate services at TransAD, told Gulf News that there were about 50 women's taxis on the road.

"We expect to have more taxis for female residents," he said.

What do you think of this service? Do you prefer taking a taxi for women over the other choices? Why?

Comments (12)

  1. Added 13:08 July 15, 2010

    It is the service that counts. If the service is up to the mark more and more Ladys would availe use of this service. From my experience although i hav never travelled on it the way the lady taxi drives drive is just excellent . they know the tactics and never show off like the male taxi drivers. lets learn from them. i am also very happy to see that women these days are coming up and exlporing the world unlike how women used to be sitting back at home .I have one Suggestion . It would be safe if the authoritys can set up a small rail behind the driver just for safety and protection. you can mostly see this in the western countries.

    Mathew Litty, Dubai, Afghanistan

  2. Added 11:33 July 15, 2010

    This is a great news for all women. Honestly, this is a total relief to all the women who are troubled by disrespectful male taxi drivers. Not only that, even us husbands feel relief upon knowing this new idea given by the local government of Abu Dhadi at least we need no more to worry how our wife get home from work even if they come late from office. How I wish this will be implemented to all region in the UAE and more more female taxi drivers will be hired for the safety of all women. Nice job Abu Dhabi government! Keep up the good work and continue to protect women in this wonderful country. God bless UAE.

    Anonymous, Sharjah, Philippines

  3. Added 11:28 July 15, 2010

    Pink Taxi in rak they are very less when i got to job i alwayz get other taxii. e male taxi.ones i sit in taxi they start their interview session and then i say them to drop me on half the way and my parent dont feel comfortable sending me in male taxi.male taxi driver are very bad.bt i never found any pink taxi near my home.....women taxi iz gud for women's safety......they should me more female taxis

    jyoti, rak, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 10:49 July 15, 2010

    Dubai already has female taxi drivers (pink taxis). However, they are terrible and dangerous drivers. On a trip from the airport to home one driver spent the whole time arguing on the telephone and nearly crashed three times as she was not paying attention to the roads. When we complained she replied angrily "but its my sister!". Will never take a pink taxi again.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 10:48 July 15, 2010

    Whilst this is a great idea locally, it's not at all new in the world. Lady taxis exist in many countries and whilst they are driven by ladies, they are available to all and not just women and children. Why can't we simply have women driven taxis available for us all? As a better idea, why don't we just get rid of all the male taxi drivers and replace them with lady drivers. The accident rate would drop hugely!

    Jeymer Hareo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 10:04 July 15, 2010

    looking forward also here in dubai to see a lot of female taxi driver's i'ved already see few hope that they will add more lady drivers.

    Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 09:57 July 15, 2010

    im living in sharjah and most of the the taxi drivers their are rude and very cunning, they will choose the way they want and round round trip and they are chatting in very unrespected way to ladies.i wish they will implement also lady taxi in sharjah!

    Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  8. Added 09:35 July 15, 2010

    This is a wonderful idea. I hope this service is extended to all over Emirates especially in Dubai. Dubai has more need of this service. Hope the Number of taxi's are also increased. I suggest their total number should be 50% against the normal taxies so that families and ladies have access to pink taxi's easily. This is a very considerate move towards the lady travelers. Good Move!!!! God Bless United Arab Emirates.

    Nikki Kumar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 08:51 July 15, 2010

    It's an excellent move. Bravo!

    Khalid , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  10. Added 08:44 July 15, 2010

    A Good move from the autority, diploy more women driven taxies, atleast the public can travel with a peace of mind as most of the male taxi drivers are very rough in character and they are not considering the passengers, most of the times they are focused on listening Radio and talking in an unpleasent manner in their local languages. Better for imposing women taxi drivers we can change the existing system.

    Ajith N Pillai, abudhabi, United Arab Emirates

    11. View more comments

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