A new taxi service will start picking up fares in Sooke and on the West Shore in a couple of weeks, but this service will have one distinctive difference.

All their drivers will be women.

Tammy Hogg, the comapnyB次元官网网址檚 co-owner, said the new service, named WOW (Women on Wheels), is designed to provide a safe, non-threatening ride for its customers.

RELATED: Plans have been underway since spring

B次元官网网址淭here are a lot of cultures where women canB次元官网网址檛 ride with lone male drivers, and even outside that population there are women who donB次元官网网址檛 feel comfortable riding with a male driver,B次元官网网址� said Hogg.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e providing a different sort of customer service. If youB次元官网网址檙e calling a cab for your child, or if youB次元官网网址檙e a senior citizen who is uncomfortable being driven by a stranger, there is a certain comfort level that comes with a female driver.B次元官网网址�

Hogg added that her drivers will be selected to be cheerful and helpful, taking the time for customers to get into the vehicle and to help them with luggage or groceries.

B次元官网网址淭here is a portion of the public that just feels more comfortable with a female driver. When I was driving (for another company) I would often take a couple home from a night out and theyB次元官网网址檇 ask me to wait to take their babysitter home. They just felt more at ease having me drive her than they might have had if I were a man,B次元官网网址� recounted Hogg.

The service will help to augment the dearth of cabs in Sooke where only Orange Taxi still operates with only two cars on the road.

B次元官网网址淭here just arenB次元官网网址檛 enough cabs in Sooke and, since we live in this community, we wanted to get the service up and running in time for the Christmas season,B次元官网网址� said Hogg.

The concept of an all-female cab service isnB次元官网网址檛 new.

An Uber-like service called DriveHer was established in Toronto in 2017, and a similar service, Lady Drive-Her was launched in Halifax at about the same time.

And while Hogg will say nothing to disparage male drivers, the facts are that, across the country, the industry has been rocked with a plethora of cases in recent years in which male drivers have been accused or convicted of sexual improprieties involving their customers.

But one of the challenges facing HoggB次元官网网址檚 new cab service is getting enough qualified drivers to keep her cars on the road 24/7.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still looking for drivers and we realize that weB次元官网网址檙e going to have to be flexible because not all of our drivers will be interested in full-time work,B次元官网网址� said Hogg.

B次元官网网址淎nyone interested in driving for us can contact us at WOWtaxibc@gmail.com.B次元官网网址�

Hogg explained that the service will have four units on the road when it launches early in December, two of which will be wheelchair accessible vans.

And, although Hogg admits that the colour scheme wasnB次元官网网址檛 her first choice, the new cabs will be painted pink and white.

B次元官网网址淵eah, I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have picked pink, but thereB次元官网网址檚 always a give and take in any partnership,B次元官网网址� said Hogg with a sigh.

mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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