The industry of private hire has always been a male dominated industry and, in the UK, it is no different. In an era of where we assume equal opportunities and fair play it is astonishing to find such an imbalance in comparison of the sexes.
So, what are the reasons behind such a difference? Can it be due to stereotype branding as it’s a man’s world? other industry of work? safety from sexual harassment? sexual assault? Or other?
It’s no secret that female taxi drivers find themselves at the fingertips of sexual advances and crude humour from both men and women, whether they are passengers or taxi drivers themselves. But has this stopped women in becoming taxi drivers or owners and trying to make their mark or break the wall so to speak in a male dominated industry? Well, the answer is NO!
Now days we see female drivers and female fleet operators in the industry more than before. Rachel Dale of AAA Taxis Hertfordshire is a prime example of women who operate their fleets in a male dominated industry and have proven successful and even today are going to strength to strength.
So, it can be said that the trend is changing and that females are now encouraged to seek employment in the industry, with more fleet operators and drivers increasing per average each year.
However, if we investigate the history of the industry then this was not the case as, in the period prior to the year 2000 there were only 0.4% of women in the taxi and private hire industry, but as of that date forward the number of female drivers has risen.
It may not be a great increase but: Who drives taxis now? Many drivers when looking into the national statistics as a country there were 98% male, while females’ drivers were only 2% in the period 2019/20.
These proportions are like the previous years in the industry. However, this figure for year ending 2021 showed an increase of 5% in female’ drivers from previous year to accumulate a total of 7% female drivers, while a shift in male drivers although still a much higher percentage had dropped to 93% as work of employment in other fields, industries and the pandemic have all played its major part.
So how about the number of women driving taxis in one of the major cities within the UK? Well in London alone as of the end of December 2021, there were 126,100 drivers in London, of that only 2,774 were female. That’s only just over 2% of the total number of drivers. (Source of information: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/997793/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-statistics-2021.pdf)
So far, so unimpressive; but however substandard the representation of women in traditionally male-dominated roles and industries maybe, these despicable figures fail in comparison to the measly 2.2% of taxi drivers registered with TfL who are female. (Source of information: https://bust.com/living/17256-london-female-taxi-drivers.html)
Female taxi drivers, both in London and across the country, are in the extreme minority. This absence of gender equality flies in the face of the fact that women are statistically safer drivers, frequently lead lifestyles suited to flexible working hours, attract less violence and hostility and typically make passengers feel more comfortable.
Many women can recount at least one experience of sexual harassment, feeling of vulnerability or instance of discomfort in taxis with men behind the wheel. More female drivers on the roads are one solution to the issue, which could make many passengers, including men, feel more comfortable, safe, and secure.
London cabbie Shelley confirms the theory: “I think some men feel a sense of relief when they get into my taxi. I literally had someone thank me for the nice journey and how happy he was that he didn’t have to talk about football and politics for once”, while black cab driver Victoria’s experiences mirror those of her colleague: “everyone is a lot less aggressive than they probably would be to a male driver.” (Source of information: https://bust.com/living/17256-london-female-taxi-drivers.html)
Increasing levels of competition and cuts to earning potential may be deterring more women from becoming cab drivers today, especially with the current climate of the pandemic, but before the introduction of Uber the role still failed to attract and welcome women, despite its many potential perks. Safety concerns appear to have been a deterring factor for many would-be female drivers in the past, while an overall sense of “boys world” is likely to have put off many more.
But things change and attitudes are changing and now there is a growing number presence of females in the industry from female exclusive services for those who feel vulnerable, fleet owners and operators and of course female drivers. But how can we make sure that people are more aware and appreciative and more importantly make the industry safer to have more growing number in years to come.
The right way to go is to firstly be educated and have awareness of the core issues of the industry of the sexual harassment that is present, and we all know about it, to mental health awareness which affects from the traumatic experiences of what happens when these important issues are not addressed.
In a recent webinar between Kimberly Hurd of Collective Benefits and Rachel Dale of AAA Taxis Hertfordshire, they discussed the important topic of females in the fleets, and it was addressed that the gender gap in the industry needs to be closed and how do we tackle this issue, and it was stated by Rachel herself that ‘this can be done through mentoring, showing support, education, address safety and encourage and support women in the trade’. (Source of information: https://lnkd.in/dAi8fTHs) These are some of the core topics that need addressing and it was also mentioned during the webinar and touched on is that ‘AAA Taxis encourage and support their fleet through Safety as a Standard (SaaS) training programme to help raise awareness and support on a range of topics’. (Source of information: https://lnkd.in/dAi8fTHs)
The overall success of this just as other private hire fleets have seen, that being part of the SaaS training programme helps in understanding importance of these various issues, showing support and establishing awareness, not only for the men but also the females in the industry as well.
Females in the private hire industry with the right awareness and training can have liberty of movement without encountering the threat or fear of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. These clinical educational and awareness training (just like the SaaS programme) help elevate taxi fleet that emancipate women from the fears of violence and other challenges an enables woman to work with freedom. Furthermore, the practice of using female drivers in a male dominated industry empowers women to take control and have autonomy in their society.
Susiie Shah an entrepreneur looking to empower women on a global scale stated, “these companies are conscious of the rights of all women to safe transportation and strive to provide services that are sensitive to the concerns women face in the male dominated taxi industry.”. (Source of information: https://www.wikigender.org/wiki/women-for-women-taxis/)
In the United Kingdom up to the year 2013 there were only 2 companies that were exclusive to women only transportation because of the dangers that existed in the industry and these companies were the original Pink Ladies Service which was founded in 2005 in London the Pink Ladies Services operates in London while another service named Ladies Only Travel exists in Bradford, UK. (Source of information: https://www.wikigender.org/wiki/women-for-women-taxis/). Now today this has grown exponentially and with more fleets now welcoming female drivers and wanting female drivers we are seeing a change in attitude and acceptance.
The Safety as a Standard (SaaS) training programme from my personal experience is the right way to go and to be educated for any fleet and driver across the private hire and transportation industry. After doing the training course myself and especially the courses in sexual harassment and mental health awareness, it has gave me a better understanding of what’s right, what’s wrong, what to say, how to act in appropriate manner, the signs to look out for in helping and protecting fellow colleagues and community and the understanding of effective state of mind from acting or not respecting the individual as a person of free will and not an object of attraction to be abused or violated.
SaaS training programme is vital ingredient for individual and fleets to implement in making the industry safer and with more females now wanting to be part of the industry its more important now to have that clear understanding, break those stereotypes, and welcome and change attitudes and the SaaS training programme is your start to a safer tomorrow.
We all talk about equality and acceptance and its about time we are positively receptive of women in our industry and empower women to be part of our industry. We may never completely change the views of all, but a start of acceptance and awareness is a step in the right direction and the SaaS training programme were all should start. The choice is yours.
