Shimla Mayor Chauhan launches Pink Taxi for safer travel

Shimla

Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan on Tuesday launched the 'Pink Taxi Service', an initiative focused on women's safety and empowerment. Started by the social group Connecting Lives, the service is meant only for women passengers and will be driven by women drivers.

Mayor Chauhan praised the effort, highlighting its importance in supporting women who live alone. He announced that he would donate 50% of his monthly honorarium to the organization and added that Pink Taxis would get free parking within city limits. He encouraged everyone to support the initiative so that more women could benefit.

The service will operate only within the Shimla Municipal Corporation area. It is available during the day and will also offer emergency night rides to registered women. The project aims to give women a safer, more reliable travel option within the city.

Bimla Thakur, President of Connecting Lives, said the service had started as a night-only option on February 20 but received little response. Now, the taxis will mainly run during the day, with emergency night rides for registered users.

Thakur emphasized that the service is meant to empower single mothers, widows, divorcees, and unmarried women. She also expressed hopes of expanding it across Himachal Pradesh.

The Pink Taxi Service has gained positive feedback from local officials and residents. It is seen as a step forward in providing secure and affordable transport for women, while also creating jobs for female drivers in the region.