Gulf News

Sharjah, July 13: Sharjah Transport has appointed its first female taxi driver to cater for women and children, and expects to employ at least 20 more by the end of July.

"We expect female taxi drivers to become very popular with our customers, and hope to continue employing more," said Mohammad Al Haddad, General Manager of Advantage Taxi Sharjah.

Advantage Taxi is the first taxi company in the emirate to have a female employee, and two more women are expected to join next week, according to Al Haddad.

The women are from a variety of backgrounds, including Filipina, Iraqi and Sri Lankan.

The first female driver is currently stationed at Sharjah International Airport, but is available if customers request her services elsewhere in the city.

The four taxi companies under the authority of Sharjah Transport collaborated together to introduce the hiring of female taxi drivers.

"Each company will have at least five women, so we will recruit a total of 20," said a Sharjah Transport representative.

"It is comforting to know that there will be women driving taxis, and there should be more," said Shireen Mohammad, a resident who welcomed the new policy