Fifty women show interest in all-female cab firm

Around 50 women have expressed interest in becoming drivers with the country’s first all-female cab service which takes to Dublin’s streets this week.

Spearheaded by businessman Gerard McCarthy, Angel Cabs is being marketed at women who feel more comfortable in taxis with female drivers.

While there will be no central office, customers will be able to contact one of six numbers depending on what part of the city they are in and will be put directly through to a driver.

“It was my girlfriend’s idea,” said Mr McCarthy.

“I was looking for an idea to set up a business and she suggested that a service for both female drivers and passengers for safety and comfort reasons was a great idea.

“There are quite a few female drivers around Dublin, but they are either operating on their own at ranks or are attached to companies where you might have 400 drivers in a company, with 399 men.

“I’ve had between 40 and 50 drivers who have approached me already and I want to link all these individual female drivers together so it will make it easier for the public to access them.”

The Cork native said he surveyed around 120 women working in businesses throughout the Dublin area and one out of every four claimed they would prefer to be driven by a woman.

He added men are not being prohibited from joining the service, but as it is aimed at women who prefer female drivers they may not find the venture very lucrative.

Angel Cabs will begin operating next Saturday, March 1, for a trial month after which interested drivers will then be asked to officially sign up and commit to the service.

Further information on www.angelcabs.ie