HYDERABAD: It’s been a month since SHE Cabs - women drivers for women passengers - were launched by Telangana government, but a toll-free number, or other means of contact, are not launched yet. Though the concept garnered appreciation, the initiative did not materialise as lack of contact details deprived women customers of hiring the service.
On September 8, 10 cabs were handed over to qualified women drivers. The service caters specially for women. While men can get into the taxis, they should be accompanied by at least one woman passenger.
Only male passengers will not be allowed to board the taxis, officials said. The vehicles were inaugurated by transport minister P Mahender Reddy.
The government provided a subsidy of 35 per cent to buy a cab, Maruthi Swift Dzire worth `8.15 lakh each. The service was introduced based on recommendations of a committee formed to resolve issues faced by women and girls in the state. Though the four-wheelers with woman drivers was supposed to be launched in January it was postponed to August and was once again postponed to September.
At the launch in September, transport commissioner Sandeep Kumar Sultania said that a toll-free number would be launched soon.
Principal secretary of transport department Sunil Sharma said that the transport commissioner is coordinating with Women and Child Welfare department, and a toll-free number would be launched soon.
There were plans to increase number of the women drivers from 10 to 50. The cabs are fitted with panic button which the woman drivers can press in case of emergency. An alert will be sent to Police Command Centre and local police. GPS is also installed in the taxis.