A new taxi service for women is launching in Dublin this month.
LadyCab says it will offer safer trips for women who can use its app to request a female driver for their journeys. The company, whose tagline is "every woman deserves to get home safe," hopes to expand to other cities in the future.
Founder of LadyCab Emanuela Negura told RTÉ, that she was determined to make a change in the industry after experiencing "the dangers" of the capital's nightlife herself.
She said she was "attacked on a Saturday night last year in July in the city centre by a male passenger, who tried to get in my car". She explained that she "was parked. He tried to get in, but luckily the door was locked. He tried to smash my window. He grabbed me by the neck and he hit me. It was not even dark. I realised we are so exposed as taxi drivers to the dangers of Dublin’s nightlife".
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, CEO Emanuela explained that the new app will employ both male and female taxi drivers, but one important feature they will offer, is the option for female passengers to be matched specifically with a female driver.
She added that the company is also exploring the introduction of real-time GPS tracking, the ability to share emergency contacts, route-tracking functionalities, and in-app emergency alerts connected to a 24/7 support team.
This initiative will provide comfort and reassurance to many women who worry about getting home after a night out, or simply traveling from place to place. They can feel at ease knowing their taxi driver prioritises their safety. It will also offer comfort to parents, partners, siblings, and friends of women; simply by knowing they are with a trusted and professional person.
No one should have to worry about the safety of a woman in their life simply because she takes a taxi alone. It should never be the norm to fear for a woman’s wellbeing whenever she needs to travel by herself, at any time of day; and especially at night.
LadyCab will bring the much needed, timely, stop to this worry.
