women only cab firm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4080894.stm

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/203/203798_tickle...

So can women relax if they book a car from a minicab firm? It is generally much safer, says a spokesman for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. "Try and go for personal recommendations. The most important thing is to check if the firm is licensed. It's not infallible, but something awful is much less likely to happen."

Since October 2001 it has been illegal to operate as a minicab firm without a licence from the Public Carriage Office. There are now 2,100 licensed operators across London, and many others, of course, that are not. You can check if a firm is licensed either by asking to see its certificate if you are visiting its office, or you can check on the Transport for London website, www.tfl.gov.uk.pco - though that might not be convenient if it's 3am and you're standing shivering on the pavement.

But it is the licensing of drivers that is the most important step in the process. Transport for London is about to begin the process of licensing London's 40,000-plus minicab drivers. Licensing has been seen as the key to improving safety. But there have been complaints that it has taken too long to get the process under way in London and it will take up to three years to complete.

Each driver will have to provide a signed health certificate from his or her GP and will undergo a full criminal-record check. If cleared, they will be licensed and given an ID card, with photograph, which they will be required to wear.

"After licensing, it should be a lot safer," says DCI Walton. "The checks we are going to do on the drivers are quite rigorous. We think it will make a difference."

At Rosebery Cars in Islington, which was one of the first operators to be licensed, they are happy that licensing is finally being introduced for drivers, but have doubts that the PCO has sufficient powers to close disreputable firms down. "There are a lot of firms out there that have been refused licences and they are still operating," said one worker, who did not want to be identified.

All drivers applying for work at Rosebery Cars have their licence checked, are asked for their national insurance number, special insurance, MOT and car log book, and are each given an identity card. "We're very straight. We check our drivers quite carefully, but others will hire anyone. It's diabolical. It's like a front for people to drive around in a car and pick women up. They give us a bad name."

So what about the much-trumpeted women-only minicab firms? In London there are four offering women drivers for women passengers and children. But they are mostly small operations, as they find it difficult to get enough drivers. Ladycabs, one of the bigger companies, currently have 12 women drivers on their books. "We have to turn down quite a bit of business because we don't have the drivers," a spokeswoman said.

Ten safety tips

1 Always try to share a cab with a friend.

2 Try to take black cabs or licensed minicabs; these are licensed by the police or local authority and have identity numbers.

3 Never hail a cab on the street; carry the phone number of a taxi firm with you. When you book, ask for the driver's name, make and colour of car.

4 When the cab arrives, ask the driver his name and company, what name he is collecting, and what address he is expecting to go to.

5 If you are calling from a public place, don't let people around you overhear your name or other personal details - anyone could pretend to be your cab.

6 Always sit in the back. Don't worry about appearing antisocial.

7 Always carry a mobile phone or shriek alarm; and make sure they are not buried at the bottom of a bag.

8 If you chat to the driver, never give out any personal details.

9 If you feel threatened, firmly ask the driver to stop and get out - preferably in a busy public place.

10 If he refuses to stop, wind down the window and wave and shout.

· For women-only cab firms in London, call Ladybirds on 020-8295 0101; Ladycars Ltd on 020-8655 1918; Ladycars on 020- 8981 7111; or LadyCabs on 020-7254 3501. To check a minicab firm's licence, call TfL on 020-7222 1234. Sources: Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the Metropolitan Police.