Now a special cab to pick women from "kerb"

If all goes well, come June, women commuters will be able to hail a special cab from the streets without having to go through a call centre to book the cab.

Priyadarshini Cab Service, the city's only women agency that has been functioning since 2007, recently approached the Maharashtra State Transport minister Swarup Singh Nayak seeking the necessary permits that will enable them to pick up women commuters from the kerb.

Apart from this, the cab service will also be equipped to render first aid in case of medical emergencies. The initiative is in collaboration with the 'Dial 1298 for Ambulance' Helpline.

The agency which is currently 20 women drivers with 15 cabs is conducting training programs for the drivers to dispense first aid.

The women drivers are undergoing training on how to dispense emergency first aid to heart patients, how to give CPR and to manage minor injuries, said Susie Shah who runs the Priyadarshini cab service.

Shah believes that once the permits come through, the number of cabs will shoot up to more than 100 within six months.

She added that although the service will be slightly expensive than the regular black and yellow metered taxis in Mumbai, it offers good services and safety.

A ride in the white cab will cost passenger Rs 15 for the first kilometer and Rs 12 thereafter for every kilometer.

According to Shah it is not the dearth of commuters or capital that is their problem but the lack of promised permits.

The agency was recently given permission to operate only from the domestic airport.

Shah recently met with Nayak to discuss various ideas and is optimistic of getting the permits to start the service in the city.