Taxi Driver Online

Ticks all the usual boxes, but the tone isn't as anti-male as some...

But, I mean, if she's spotted a demand gap in the market because she's worked in the trade then she'll also know that the huge supply gap won't be filled either, because women just don't want to do the job.

But the usual micro-scale start, and then look for the drivers, then onto world domination. Or something like that

And the second niche angle is that if the car is anything to go by then it'll be pitched a bit higher than the bog standard 'taxi' offering...

But let's wait to pass judgement until she actually gets her operator's licence


Female-driver-only taxi service to launch in Durham and Sunderland

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... underland/


Image: Jill Donison/The Northern Echo

A County Durham woman is launching a female-driver-only taxi service after spotting a gap in the market during her time in the industry.

Jill Donison, from Seaham, came up with the idea after working as a taxi driver herself and noticing what she believes is an untapped demand for women-only transport options.

Jill was a residential worker in children's services until an accident at work left her unable to continue in her role.

In August this year she began driving for Uber, where she regularly encountered passengers who were surprised and delighted to see a woman behind the wheel.

Now, she is preparing to launch her own business, which will initially operate across Durham and Sunderland.

The 51-year-old said the idea had been developing in the back of her mind for some time.

She said: "There was something always in the back of my mind that there was a need for more female drivers.

"When I was driving people, it would happen up to ten times a day where women were getting in the car and saying, 'Oh my God, a woman driver, this is amazing'.

"I don't want anyone to feel I'm being disrespectful to male drivers.

"There are thousands of brilliant male drivers who ensure the safety of their passengers, but I just saw a gap in the market and I want to give women the option to have a female driver if they want one."


Image: Jill Donison/The Northern Echo

Ms Donison said public reaction to the venture has been overwhelmingly positive.

"The response has been amazing, absolutely amazing," she said.

She is currently waiting for her operator's licence before officially launching the service and beginning the recruitment of other female drivers.

The company will initially focus on pre-booked journeys rather than an app-based model, with rides available across the Durham and Sunderland areas.

However, Ms Donison has not ruled out introducing an app in the future as the business grows.

For now, her focus is on building a team of female drivers and providing women with an alternative transport option.

She said: "I just want to give women the choice.

"If they want a female driver, they'll be able to book one."


Image: Jill Donison/The Northern Echo

They'll be queuing up, no doubt


On a more technical note, presumably that should be something like prior-booking, as opposed to pre-booking, which is the essence of public hire v private hire, basically, and to that exent the app is no different to the telephone.

But that's also perhaps another indication regarding why it's a tad upmarket and thus will only ever be very niche.

I wish her well.

But we all know where this ends, and it isn't loads of money.

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IDFIMH

maybe someone should write a book on all the female only start ups and where they are now.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector