Actress and dancer Manju Warrier is the goodwill ambassador of Kerala’s ‘She Taxis’ to be launched in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram next week.
Officials said the actress volunteered to endorse the project of taxis, owned and operated by women for women initiated by the state-run Gender Park which works towards achieving gender equity.
She Taxis will roll out as part of a pilot project on November 19.
“As someone who has had first-hand experience of the difficulties and worries of
travelling in unfamiliar cities at odd hours, I know how important a service of this kind will be to women. I’m sure this is an idea that will catch on,” Warrier said.
“I also respect the women who have come forward to operate these taxis given the challenges they are expected to face in a male-dominated business.”
Once fully operational ‘She Taxi’ will be a 24X7 service which can be booked through mobile phones and online. Women travelling alone or with families will be able to dial a toll free number connecting to a customer care centre.
They will get a Unique Identification Code and the vehicle number on their mobile phones. All cabs will be metered and will have an electronic payment system allowing the user to pay by credit or debit cards or cash.
The She Taxis will come with multiple security systems.
A control room will track the taxis in real-time using GPS; there will be personal emergency alert switches for drivers and passengers inside the car; and a similar safety alert app will be installed on the mobile phones of the women drivers.
The cabs will have a map of all emergency response systems in the city and public safety officers will be available for their assistance. The drivers will also be given training in self-defence as well as good driving practices.