DNA

Mumbai, Nov 23: The city will see the launch of cool cabs driven by women and exclusively meant for women. The first batch of these pink cabs will be introduced on Sunday at the Priyadarshini Park Sports Complex grounds. Initiated by an NGO Stree Shakti Kendra near August Kranti Maidan, this fleet will be operated by women exclusively to cater to women commuters.

“Instances of women commuters being fleeced by taxiwallahs are rampant in this city. Members of this NGO have been specially trained to cater to this section of the society,” said a lady taxi driver.

Although this will not be ‘hail a cab’ service, it aims to cater to women who can easily book a ride through a call centre. Refusing to divulge any more information about the call centre, Sushma Hivate another driver said, “Being pink cabs these would be peculiar and easily identifiable. One can book this cab in advance.”

Women candidates - 139 in all - were interviewed, of which 30 in the age group 18-40 were selected. This service is being initiated in Mumbai and later will be spread across Maharashtra. These women drivers are conversant with English. The taxi service is available from 8am to 10pm.

It may be recalled that in March a similar group of women had introduced Forsche - cabs for women by women. But these were aimed at catering to specific target audience - essentially tourists or women travellers.