ABU DHABI // When Elsa Fortuna drives along Abu Dhabi's streets, only a few try to hail her family taxi which is exclusively for women and families.
“Many passengers think the service is only for families or believe that we charge more than a regular taxi,” said Ms Fortuna, 43, from the Philippines.
“Recently two ladies waved their hands but hesitated when they saw ‘family taxi’ on the roof. I asked them to get in and assured them that there will be no difference in the fare.”
Men can travel in these taxis if they are with their families, but are not allowed to hail them if travelling alone.
“But many are unaware that we can also pick up couples or a group of friends,” she said.
Ms Fortuna frequents the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, hospitals, hotels and malls, where families and women are likely to be waiting for taxis.
In September 2012, 30 white-roofed family taxis went into service in Abu Dhabi. Since then TransAD, the taxi regulator, has required each of the franchise companies to designate at least 10 vehicles as family taxis.
At Emirates Taxi, six are in Abu Dhabi and the rest are in Al Ain.
Ms Fortuna previously worked as a driver for an Emirati family for three years. After finishing her contract, she landed a job as a driver of one of the pink-and-lavender ladies taxis launched in 2010.
“I started driving a family taxi - a Camry - in January this year,” she said. “We started driving an eight-seater Innova van the following month.”
TransAD introduced pink-and-lavender taxis exclusively for women and children under 10 in February 2010. The taxis feature pink roof lights and purple-shaded logos.
The ladies-only taxis were phased outin July. TransAD also issued a resolution requiring family taxis switch from saloon cars to vans as of June, according to Henry Rughas Fernandes, an operations manager at Cars Taxi in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
“We have 16 family taxis in Abu Dhabi and three in Al Ain, all driven by well-experienced lady drivers,” he said. “They earn a fixed salary plus a commission.”
Ms Fortuna works about eight to nine hours a day, and takes home about Dh5,000 a month.
“I like my job because I get to meet and interact with many passengers every day and do not have a fixed timing,” she said. “Parents trust me with their children who I pick up and drop off from school.”
But there is a need to let Abu Dhabi residents know family taxis are available, she said.
Raymundo Florendo Gapuz, 40, who has been driving for Tawasul Taxi for more than six years, agreed.
“Some of my passengers often ask me if they can ride a family taxi and I said ‘yes’,” he said. “They think we’re a cheaper alternative to the Innova vans.”
A 45-year-old woman who did want to be named, said she hoped her male coworkers would be more respectful on the roads.
“They overtake us to pick up passengers, which is unfair,” she said. “I know they have a daily target but they should learn to respect us.”
Unlike male drivers, who normally drive for more than 12 hours and need to meet a daily target of Dh450, female drivers earn a fixed salary plus a commission if they exceed their monthly target.
Mr Fernandes, who has worked for Cars Taxi since 2000, insists there is a demand for the family taxi service.
“We plan to add 30 more family taxis before the end of the year,” he said.
In June, Mohammed Al Hosani, director of franchise and licensing at TransAD, said in an interview that the agency planned to increase the required number of family taxis for each franchise to 25.
Plans are also under way to install child car safety seats in some taxis, starting with 60 family taxis, by the end of this year.
rruiz@thenational.ae
