Pune based radio cab service provider Wings Travels Management has launched Wings Sakhi, a new women-centric radio cab service for women and chauffeured exclusively by women.
According to Wings, as of now, 10 such radio cabs have been introduced in all eight cities that it currently operates in, including Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.
"In Pune, 10 cabs have been earmarked for Wings Sakhi, and we already have five women drivers on board,Chandigarh is the next destination for the project, and the Army Wives' Welfare Association there has also evinced interest in participating in it. Our target is to increase the number of these cabs to 100 in the next three months. A woman-chauffeured radio cab is our initiative towards providing safe transport solutions for women commuters, and towards women's empowerment," said Arun Kharat, founder and executive director, Wings Travels Management.
Amongst the safety measures planned is equipping Sakhi cabs with a panic button, speed dial, and an ICE number that a woman can use if is she is in danger while travelling. A 24X7 vigilance squad manned by ex-army personnel will be alerted on raising the alarm and will be pressed into immediate action.
Kharat added, "A woman-chauffeured radio cab is our initiative towards providing safe transport solutions for women commuters, and towards women's empowerment." Wings is operational in Pune over a decade, operates around 4,500 taxis and owns 550 vehicles, most of which are radio cabs. The company has clocked Rs 135 crore revenue in FY15.
