Thiruvananthapuram: In an initiative by the Kerala government, a unique model of a taxi service for women by women for the safety of women passengers has been adopted by the state. In the wake of the recent incident of rape by a Uber car driver, initiatives like this can be a viable solution for ensuring women safety.

Many like IT professional Priya Nair, depend on ‘She Taxi’ to safely commute during their late night and early morning shifts in Thiruvananthapuram.

“Earlier I used to call my colleagues to pick me up or my cousin will have to do that. Now after using she taxi I feel like I am not bothering anybody I can come out by myself,” Nair says while adding that the one-of-a-kind women’s only taxi service is a boon as it is scary to travel post 8 pm.

Not just Priya, Athira too, shares the same sentiment calling the one-of-a-kind women’s only taxi service a boon.

“Earlier we used to come by our company transport, where a male will be driving. We will always be thinking what is going to happen. there is a sense of security issue,” Athira said.

“Even if we have to stay back in office we at least feel secure that we are going back by she taxi,” another girl Ashwathy said.

Although it’s still a tough job for the women cab drivers as their safety is also a concern. To take take of their security, their vehicles are monitored through GPS from a control room. There are emergency buttons installed in the taxis for both customer and the driver to raise an alarm if needed.

“I thought of becoming a she-taxi driver, because I thought this way I can do my bit for the security of women I our place. I am not scared of going out at any time with my vehicle as I have been given training in Karate, my office tracks me all the time, in case of any emergency I will receive aid soon,” a She taxi driver Sheeja Prasannan said.

At present there are about 28 such women only taxis plying in Thiruvanthapuram run by the states Department of Social Justice. The government is also planning to extend the service to Kochi soon.

As the number of working women in Kerala has been steadily going up, jumping by about 25 per cent in the last 10 years, ‘She taxis’ are giving the women a choice they are comfortable with. The initiative in the state is also setting a trend for others to follow.

Photo courtesy: S. Mahinsha