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Feminism: chat

Feminism: sex and gender

Original poster

Female Taxi Drivers

21 replies

OhHolyJesus · 27/07/2021 22:14

I don't go out and night on my own these days but remember getting the last train home on a night out after work and getting a cab rather than walking, for safety's sake, so I wondered whether it was usual for women to ask for a female taxi driver to get home at night.

I'm aware of a female-only taxi driver company that was set up a few years ago and of course heard about John Worboys/John Radford and his conviction for multiple attacks on female passengers.

I can completely see why women would prefer a female driver and I'm interested in what others think.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9825847/Trans-woman-33-slams-Uber-refusing-let-change-account.html?ito=social-facebook&fbclid=IwAR1u-0r64Oy15iIGVEEyotGQrw9PGjcafIne-Z-lx7KlI4iZ0VhyYjQt63Q

OP posts:
NotTerfNorCis · 27/07/2021 22:18

I've heard of at least one female-only taxi company too, as well as female-only driving schools. It seems like a good idea. I don't know how the female taxi driver makes sure she's safe though.

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 27/07/2021 22:21

I’ve never actually asked for myself, or even considered it tbh but, a group of my friends have a particular company we always use and one or other of us will occasionally book a cab from them to collect our teenager DDs from somewhere. The guy who runs it always sends one of his female drivers for them (one of whom is his daughter) and we spoke recently of how we do really appreciate that. So it has sort of put it on my radar and again, probably wouldn’t bother for me, but would now think to do that if I was booking for my teens.

Titsywoo · 27/07/2021 22:25

There used to a be company in my town called Ladycab which I used a lot but they closed for some reason. Shame as I tend to avoid traveling in cabs alone as I feel nervous with a male driver.

ShirleyDab · 27/07/2021 22:34

You need to define female.

Original poster
OhHolyJesus · 27/07/2021 22:41

You need to define female.

Female = not male

Shame as I tend to avoid traveling in cabs alone as I feel nervous with a male driver.

I can certainly understand that, I imagine feeling more relaxed on the journey home.

I don't know how the female taxi driver makes sure she's safe though.

I've just looked up the name of the company I heard of years ago, they only accepted female passengers and children.

annisacars.co.uk/#gsc.tab=0

OP posts:
NotTerfNorCis · 27/07/2021 22:51

I can imagine a female-only taxi company being really useful for women who'd had a bad experience or were particularly worried about having one, and also for women from traditional backgrounds who have to be very careful who they travel with.

ArabellaScott · 27/07/2021 22:54

@ShirleyDab

You need to define female.
A female is a woman. Ask your mum.
Jorriss · 27/07/2021 23:28

@ShirleyDab

You need to define female.
🤣 oh give over. I think the majority of the population knows what a female is.
KittenKong · 27/07/2021 23:34

Uber have said (in the us only I think) that their drivers can self ID.

It seems that any ‘woman only’ space, list or job can be not as it ought.

SirenSays · 27/07/2021 23:46

I feel like most taxi drivers make their money doing late nights from clubs or events like football and hockey games so I'd be worried about female taxi drivers safety to be honest.
I regularly get taxis through rural locations late at night and it really does worry me. I always try to be on the phone to DH or a friend as an extra precaution.

NiceGerbil · 27/07/2021 23:49

There was one a few years ago. And then I read about another being set up.

They got constant shit from men including in the media etc saying it was sexist. Probably illegal. Court cases threatened.

Dunno what happened.

I'll have s Google.

NiceGerbil · 27/07/2021 23:50

As well as death and taxes being inevitable.

Is the RAGE that so many men get when women have just ONE fucking thing for us. They have alternatives. They lose nothing. But they just can't BEAR it.

NiceGerbil · 27/07/2021 23:53

Yes there are

Eg

annisacars.co.uk/#gsc.tab=0

sergeilavrov · 28/07/2021 00:01

You can definitely request this, happens all the time - either by demographic or the name/car number of someone you specifically trust. My lovely little dad is a taxi driver, and often gets requested by name for later journeys by female customers even thought he doesn’t work nights, for example. A friend of his is a female driver and she will also get up for pre booked journeys when requested. Definitely don’t feel it’s an unreasonable request!

A decent taxi driver will meet you at the safe place, e.g walk to the door of the pickup to escort you to the car at night, and not drive off until he sees you are safely in the house at any time of day.

ShirleyDab · 28/07/2021 14:41

@OhHolyJesus

You need to define female.

Female = not male

Shame as I tend to avoid traveling in cabs alone as I feel nervous with a male driver.

I can certainly understand that, I imagine feeling more relaxed on the journey home.

I don't know how the female taxi driver makes sure she's safe though.

I've just looked up the name of the company I heard of years ago, they only accepted female passengers and children.

annisacars.co.uk/#gsc.tab=0

You need to get with it, op, it's not that simple. It can mean anyone in a frock [or not] nowadays.
gotalottolose · 28/07/2021 19:18

@SirenSays

I feel like most taxi drivers make their money doing late nights from clubs or events like football and hockey games so I'd be worried about female taxi drivers safety to be honest. I regularly get taxis through rural locations late at night and it really does worry me. I always try to be on the phone to DH or a friend as an extra precaution.
Share my location is a good feature if you’ve got an iPhone. It allows the person of your choice to track you and make sure your taxi hasn’t taken a detour.

Rural taxis make me nervous. I always strike up a conversation and quickly drop in that DH is waiting for me at home.

Tigger85 · 29/07/2021 00:24

When I was in my late teens/early 20s and frequently went clubbing with friends we would always pre-book a taxi with a female driver (mid 2000s). I don't really go out anymore but if I was going to be getting in a cab alone it would need to be pre-booked with a female driver, I would only get in a cab with a male driver if I'm in a group or with a male friend or my partner.

Original poster
OhHolyJesus · 29/07/2021 07:40

You need to get with it, op, it's not that
simple. It can mean anyone in a frock [or not] nowadays

Indeed. See link in OP.

OP posts:
startrek90 · 29/07/2021 10:51

My step dad owned a taxi firm and he had female drivers (including my mum) for this reason. He always said it was really popular and the female drivers made a lot of money, especially in the evening, as they were always fully booked and in demand. He also had male drivers too but it was definitely known locally that you could ask for a female driver and he had an unofficial policy that single women would be sent a female driver whenever possible, especially at night.

sailmeaway · 30/07/2021 16:19

Don't really mind who's in the driver seat so long as it's a decent company who vet their drivers properly and know where to go. I hate having to give cabbies directions... quite often I'm in a cab because I don't know where exactly the place is!

Serenissima21 · 30/07/2021 16:24

Good idea. I think someone has already tried that!

Female Taxi Drivers
Female Taxi Drivers
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