Charity launches initiative for female taxi drivers in Peterborough

The Rosie May foundation, a charity dedicated to training and recruiting women for the taxi industry, is extending its campaign to Peterborough. The organization has collaborated with a local taxi firm and is scheduled to conduct a recruitment drive on Tuesday. Mary Storrie, the charity’s founder, previously established female-only tuk-tuk services in Sri Lanka. She conveyed that the team was “excited” to commence their work. “It has always been my vision to do the same in the UK, with less than 3% of taxi drivers being women,” Ms Storrie stated. She added, “The ultimate aim is for women passengers to request a female driver, an option they don’t have at the minute.” She mentioned that Goldstar Cabs, the collaborating taxi firm, had been “very supportive” of her “mission.” According to Ms Storrie, eight women have so far registered their interest in the taxi driving program. She affirmed, “We are looking at the next steps and will be supporting these women with their relevant licences.” Ms Storrie and her husband founded the organization following their daughter’s murder at Christmas in 2003, utilizing funds subsequently donated in her memory. The family traveled to Sri Lanka the following year and proceeded to manage charity projects in the country. Deborah Goodwin, a 40-year-old delivery driver from Deeping St James near Peterborough, is among the initial prospective drivers to join. She commented, “I am excited and eager to get going. It will be better pay and flexible hours, which had a huge appeal for me as a single mum.” Ms Goodwin further stated, “I think it is great that women are being given an opportunity like this.” She also noted, “And also for female passengers – it will make them feel safer.” Peterborough city councillors are scheduled to vote on Wednesday concerning whether CCTV should be made mandatory in both private hire and hackney taxis. Ms Goodwin remarked, “I think it offers extra safety, but we should be allowed to turn it off when the vehicle is being used for personal journeys and I don’t think the cost to install [the CCTV] should fall on us drivers.” Goldstar Cabs, situated in Fengate, expressed that it was “proud” to be involved in the new female-taxi scheme. A recruitment event was planned to be held on Tuesday at its office.