Monroe Taxi: A Women-Led Service Driving Change on Teesside
A pioneering women-led taxi service has launched on Teesside with a mission to shatter industry stereotypes and provide flexible careers for mothers.
Founded by 26-year-old Martyna Kalarikkal, “Monroe” currently operates with eight female drivers under licences from Middlesbrough and Stockton Councils, aiming to increase the small number of women in a field where they make up only 5% of drivers nationally.
Addressing a Persistent Gender Gap
The service was born out of a desire to provide financial independence for women while addressing the safety concerns many feel when travelling alone.
Martyna explained: “I founded Monroe because I wanted to change two things; firstly, the perception that taxi driving is a job primarily for men. There are so many women who would benefit from flexible working hours and financial independence.
“Secondly, and just as importantly, I wanted to address the anxiety many women feel when getting a taxi home — especially at night.”
This national statistic—that women comprise approximately 5% of the UK’s private hire and taxi driver workforce—is consistently highlighted by industry reports from the Department for Transport and licensing bodies, underscoring the scale of the imbalance Monroe seeks to correct.
Safety and Reassurance as a Foundational Principle
Beyond employment, the firm is focused on reducing the “uncomfortable or frightening experiences” some women face during late-night commutes.
“For some, including those who have experienced domestic abuse, stepping into a taxi can bring genuine fear,” Martyna said. “Monroe was created to remove that uncertainty.”
While the service is open to everyone, including men, its core focus remains “providing reassurance and peace of mind for women across Teesside.” This approach directly tackles a well-documented concern; surveys, such as those conducted by women’s safety charities, consistently show that a significant proportion of women modify their travel behaviour or feel vulnerable when using taxis or ride-hailing services alone.
Community Partnership and Supportive Recruitment
Partnered with the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner as part of the Business Against the Abuse Scheme, Monroe is now actively recruiting more drivers who need a work-life balance that fits around family commitments.
This partnership provides structural support and aligns the service with local initiatives aimed at combating domestic abuse and supporting survivors, enhancing its community trustworthiness and operational credibility.
Martyna added: “My goal is simple: to make getting home feel safer, and to create real opportunities for more women to enter and succeed in the private hire industry.”
By offering flexible hours—a key factor for parents, particularly mothers—Monroe addresses a critical barrier to employment. This model leverages the autonomous nature of private hire work to create career pathways that accommodate caregiving responsibilities, a factor cited by organisations like the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission as vital for increasing female labour market participation.
Image Credit: www.phtm.co.uk
