Driving Change: UK Taxi Industry Leaders Convene to Tackle Gender Gap and Future-Proof Fleets
On March 6, ahead of International Women’s Day, over 70 operators, entrepreneurs, and industry partners gathered in Bristol for the third annual Women in Taxi event. Hosted by mobility technology firm iCabbi, the summit focused on critical issues shaping the UK’s taxi and private hire sector: increasing female participation, enhancing safety protocols, and preparing fleets for technological disruption.
The Stark Gender Imbalance in UK Taxi Driving
A central, sobering statistic framed much of the discussion: women constitute only approximately 3% of all taxi and private hire drivers in the UK. This figure, highlighted by event speakers, places the profession among the most gender-imbalanced in the transport sector. Attendees dissected the multifaceted barriers behind this gap—from perceived safety risks and inflexible working hours to a lack of visible role models and inadequate facility access.
The first panel, featuring Madison Veck (Women in Transport), Natalie Jones (Apollo Taxi Wrexham), Amberine Nawaz (Pink Ladies), and Sonia Nijjar (Cross Street Cars), explored how ingrained gender bias can influence transport infrastructure and urban planning. The conversation emphasized that creating a more inclusive industry starts with designing services and vehicles that meet the needs of all users and drivers, not just a majority demographic.
Safety as a Foundational Priority
Safety emerged as a non-negotiable pillar for both driver recruitment and passenger trust. Operators and partners examined how policy advocacy, proactive fleet management (such as in-vehicle safety tech and secure waiting areas), and community partnership programs could collectively build safer environments. The consensus was clear: without addressing legitimate safety concerns—particularly for women working night shifts or in isolated areas—efforts to boost female recruitment would fall short.
Navigating a Technological Crossroads
A second panel shifted focus to the future, tackling artificial intelligence, the potential of autonomous vehicles, and the competitive pressure from global app-based mobility platforms. Speakers argued that traditional taxi fleets possess a unique advantage: deep local knowledge and established community relationships. The challenge lies in strategically integrating new technology—like iCabbi’s dispatch platforms—to enhance efficiency without sacrificing the personalised, reliable service that defines the sector.
Strategic Partnerships and a Pathway for Development
The event was sponsored by private hire platform Veezu. Its Integration Director, Amy Tingle, stated: “Bringing more talented women into the taxi and private hire industry is essential to its future. This event shines a light on the people already leading that change and offers a chance to listen, learn, and make the sector more welcoming to women at every career stage.”
In a significant announcement, iCabbi revealed a new partnership with Women in Transport. This initiative enables Taxi Alliance member fleets to nominate a female employee for membership, with costs covered by iCabbi. The goal is to provide access to vital professional networks, mentoring, and industry events to support career advancement.
Sinéad Gillett, CMO at iCabbi, expanded on the initiative’s intent: “The goal is not simply to celebrate women in the industry—though that is valuable—but to interrogate what we don’t fully understand about gender perspectives in this space. How do different experiences shape engagement with transportation? By bringing these perspectives in, we can drive greater equity and strengthen the sector itself.”
The 2024 Women in Taxi event underscored that the journey toward a balanced, safe, and technologically adept industry is ongoing. It highlighted that progress depends on collaborative action—from corporate sponsorship and partnership to daily operational changes within individual fleets—to ensure the taxi and private hire trade remains a viable, rewarding career for all.
Image Credit: www.taxi-point.co.uk
