Addressing the Decline of Female Taxi Drivers: Challenges and Opportunities

In recent years, the number of female taxi and private hire drivers has dropped significantly. While the industry has always been male-dominated, the most recent statistics estimate that only 3% of drivers are women. 

Image Credit: Sussex Express

The last female taxi driver in Horsham, recently retired after 37 years in the industry. Joan Carmichael, from Broadbridge Heath, launched the firm P&J Cars back in 1986 with her husband. She remembered a time when there were several female cabbies in her area: 

“When I first started there were about three female taxi drivers … But they dropped by the wayside and I have been left the lone woman.” 

Following Joan’s retirement, there are now no female drivers in the area.  

Wider Recruitment Issues 

The trade is already facing severe recruitment issues, as younger people are just not interested in becoming drivers. The latest government stats for the industry show that only 17% of drivers are under the age of 40. 

What’s more concerning is that 16% of drivers are over 60, meaning there is likely to be a significant drop in the number of licensed drivers as this group starts to retire. 

The pandemic also had a significant impact on the number of younger drivers in the industry, as many chose to retrain to ensure financial security.  

It is also incredibly difficult to encourage women into the industry as drivers. This is mainly down to the perception of the job being unsafe for women.  

And this perception is not unfounded. Female drivers often face harassment, assault, or other safety risks while on the job. Commenting on the safety of the job nowadays, Joan said: 

"The thing that’s worrying now is the knife crime and the drugs … It’s getting more scary. I don’t think it’s a job for a woman anymore.” 

And while these are risks that all drivers face, its understandable why women would choose to avoid an industry with such a reputation.  

Encouraging Women into the industry 

The underrepresentation of women in the taxi and private hire industry is a serious issue. Fortunately, there are initiatives out there to try and change things.  

Females in the Fleet (FITF) is a national professional association for female drivers in the UK. By joining the association, female drivers can access funding and sponsorship to become a driver, mentoring and ongoing training with key industry people, sickness and accident insurance, legal assistance, and opportunities to network and attend organized events. 

Professional associations like this can play a crucial role in promoting diversity and equality in the industry. By encouraging more women to join the industry and take advantage of the opportunities available, it can only be a good thing for the industry.  

To learn more about Females in the Fleet, visit their website here.