Ladies coupe, just 'For She'

Mystery Guest

A taxi service for women, by women? Had to be worth a try, we thought.

This is my second attempt at booking a Forsche cab. The first time round, I am told to book a day in advance. I forget of course, but fortunately manage to snag myself a cab even at peak hour (7.15 pm) with 10 hours notice. Forsche (a play on Porsche and the fact that it is "For She" only) unfortunately doesn't have itself a central reservation line yet, so you still have to call the owner of the service on her mobile.

I hear from the driver 15 minutes prior to pick-up. She's lost her way. Okay so there's no GPS navigation system installed yet, but hey, it's coming. How would I recognise the car? A white and pink cab with a lady driver in a purple uniform? C'mon!

The cab attracts a lot of attention on the roads. Suddenly hawkers and beggars at traffic signals seem less inclined to make a buck and more keen on a conversation. The long drive home is made so much more bearable with the company of Anahita Driver (yes, that's her surname) who makes effortless conversation in fluent English. There are magazines, newspapers and a fold-away laptop table top if you prefer quiet time; and mirrors, make-up, and a manicure set if you really must powder your nose. Being driven around by a lady driver makes you realise how very uncomfortable it is to be conscious of a taxi driver gaping at you in his rear view mirror. New Delhi could use this, I think. Forsche makes few exceptions in plying men around. "We take senior citizens and men under 12 though," laughs Driver, who just did her first car pool for a group of noisy little "men".

When we arrive I expect to pay Rs 200, which used to be the flat rate for a two-hour hire, but it seems they've changed the system to a per-km charge. It totals Rs 170 (a regular taxi would've cost Rs 120), but I ask my companion of the last hour to keep the change. She must treat herself to a lemonade or two, I say, remembering that's what she credits for her unruffled outlook on the city's manic roads. Whoever said women make poor drivers?!

Score: 8/10 It's well worth the extra money. Availability is an issue with only 18 cabs, but the number will go up to 50 shortly, before the service hits other cities.