Women-driven cabs launched to ensure safety

Bringing the focus back to the safety of lone women travellers, the city roads will now see special cabs driven by women, exclusively for women.

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) along with the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) on Monday launched a women-only taxi service, in a move to ensure safety of women.

“At present 10 taxis have been launched in the city. Gradually more will be added,” said Kumar Pushkar, KSTDC’s managing director.

That’s not all. The women drivers are fluent in multiple languages, well informed of local areas and trained in self-defense. The cabs are equipped with several safety features, including GPS tracking and an SOS switch.

Hari Marar, managing director and CEO, BIAL, said that this is another step towards ensuring that women are 100 per cent safe in the city limits. “The pink cars will offer a great sense of safety and a secure mode of transport to women of all ages. The initiative is also an effort to contribute to the socio-economic development of women from villages around the airport by actively recruiting women drivers from the vicinity.”

Apart from solo women travellers, a group of women can also avail the facility. The fare is at Rs 21.50 per km during the day (6 am to 11.59 pm) and Rs 23.50 per km at night (from 12 am to 6 am). The taxis will be operational round the clock.