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Lady taxis: good idea, but not likely

Sharing their cars with potentially dangerous strangers is a daily reality for Melbourne’s taxi drivers.

But research from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine shows that for women, especially those that have been drinking, the danger goes both ways.

First reported by Fairfax Media, the research reveals that in 25 cases of sexual assault in cabs over the past three years, 21 of the victims were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

This revelation has reignited a discussion on whether Melbourne should adopt a women-only taxi service, with all-female drivers and passengers.

The idea of women-only “Pink Cabs” has already been adopted in cities like London and Dubai, and was floated this year by the Gold Coast Centre against Sexual Violence.

A pink taxi in London's Trafalgar Square. Photo: Ken Brown

A pink taxi in London’s Trafalgar Square. Photo: Ken Brown

Georgia Nicholls of the Victorian Taxi Association (VTA) says women-only cabs weren’t one of the major reforms suggested in the recent taxi industry inquiry – but there could be a market for them.

“Whatever captures a need in the market, would be unlikely to meet any reservations on our part,” she said.

“Pursuing the idea would involve talking with existing taxi companies about diversifying into that market and offering a niche service, or finding someone enterprising who wants to take the bull by the horns and give it a shot.”

But she said the VTA receives mostly good reports about the safety of Melbourne’s taxis, and is currently focusing on improving conditions for drivers.

“On customer satisfaction surveys safety rates very highly, more than 90 per cent positive, and hopefully that will continue,” she said.

“Though we will need to address the rogue people in the industry causing the sort of incidents that we have seen reported.”

CEO of the Geelong Taxi Network, Peter Valentine, said though he raised the prospect of women-only cabs for the Geelong area last year, the idea is logistically impractical.

Mr Valentine said that of the nearly 150 vehicles in his fleet, there are only about five female drives.

“The low numbers are largely because of safety concerns, but also because pay rates generally for taxi drivers in Victoria are extremely low. The fair structure is about 20 per cent lower than in New South Wales,” he says.

Emily Christie of the Human Rights Law Centre says there is a chance that a women only taxi service could also be met with a discrimination case.

The lawyer says the service may be exempt from discrimination laws if there is enough evidence to prove that women are particularly vulnerable in taxis at night.

But she says further investigation may show that encouraging a shift in cultural attitudes would be more effective.

“There may also be evidence to show that what is needed is appropriate training for taxi drivers and cultural awareness of women and the vulnerabilities that women face, particularly late at night when they’re on their own,” she says.

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