Girl Power in Melbourne: 'Pink Taxis' Coming Soon
An Australian taxi company recently introduced pink taxis for female passengers. The taxis, reports say, will be driven by women.
Taxi Link says that women passengers in Melbourne feel unsafe with men taxi drivers. A series of sexual assaults during nighttime have gotten some women scared of getting on a taxi at night.
The AU company believes that some women feel uncomfortable being driven by male taxi drivers.
The "Pink Taxi" scheme will allow female passengers to book a cab with a female driver, reports say.
Pretty in Pink
The taxis will of course be pink according to reports. And when it's finally available, it will be easier for women to spot the taxis driven by women.
Based on a report by the Telegraph, Taxi Link's director Harry Katsiabanis said that the main reason for this new scheme is to "create a more comfortable environment".
Taxi Link, a company based in Melbourne told the press that plans are on the way to recruit women drivers. The company noted that Taxi Link will need to deal with equal opportunity laws with their recruitment of women drivers.
Mr Katsiabanis said that while it is difficult to recruit female drivers he believes that "women are more caring" adding that female drivers "will "cope well with the stress and pressures of traffic in Melbourne".
Pink Taxis to Get Away from Leering Men
According to reports, some male taxi drivers cross the line by flirting with their female passengers.
In a report by News.com.au, Moscow, Dubai, and other major cities have female-only taxis available.
The pink taxis will not stop for males flagging them down, sources say.
A veterinary nurse in Melbourne Brook Trott said that she will be more at ease in getting inside a pink taxi. Another Melbourne resident Tatjana Grgic said that she would consider getting inside a female-driven taxi at night.
The Taxi Authority in Victoria reportedly receives around three complaints monthly from female passengers. The complaints range from assault to sexual intimidation.
Katsianabis noted that while 58 per cent of Taxi Link's customers are women, the taxi industry in Victoria is dominated by male drivers.