Women-only taxi service was launched on Monday at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport).
Special cabs driven by women, for women is aimed at strengthening safety and security for women passengers, jointly launched by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), is the only women-only taxi service.
The initiative is also an effort to contribute to the socio-economic development of women from villages around the Airport by actively recruiting women drivers from the vicinity.
“This concept has been implemented with the objective to provide a safe and secure mode of transport for women travellers from the Airport, while simultaneously create opportunities for women drivers to be self-employed and empowered,” said Kumar Pushkar, Managing Director, KSTDC.
The women drivers will be fluent in multiple languages, well versed with local areas and trained in self-defense tactics. Equipped with several safety features, including GPRS tracking and an SOS switch, the concept reinforces the attention to issues related to women travellers by both KSTDC and BIAL.
The initiative, launched on an experimental basis, will commence with a fleet of 10 cars and will gradually increase based on demand and passenger feedback. Apart from solo female travellers, a group of women can also avail the facility.
Priced at Rs 21.50 per kilometre during day (6 am to midnight 12 am) and Rs 23.50 per kilometre at night (from midnight 12am to 6 am), the service will be operational round the clock.
While jointly flagging off the first cars from the BLR Airport, along with Pushkar, Hari Marar, Managing Director & CEO, BIAL, said "This is another step in our endeavour towards ensuring that women are 100 per cent safe and travel safely. We thank KSTDC for working with us to implement this concept at the BLR Airport."