The Green Cab, a revolutionary taxi group based in Cape Town, is offering safer transport options while heading up eco-friendly initiatives.
Founded in 2010 with a mission to provide women with sustainable livelihoods and combat gender-based violence, the company is now transitioning to a fully electric fleet.
Co-founder Amiene van der Merwe emphasised to News24 the importance of empowering women financially to reduce their vulnerability to gender-based violence.
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With four female owners, women’s empowerment is at the core of the company’s ethos.
Driven by personal experiences, including van der Merwe’s own survival of sexual abuse, The Green Cab is determined to address the alarming rates of violence against women in South Africa.
By offering safe transportation options and increasing female representation in the e-hailing sector, the company aims to create a more gender-equitable urban transport future.
Recognising the need for women to feel secure while traveling, The Green Cab plans to introduce options for passengers to request female drivers through partnerships with e-hailing apps like ChaufHER.
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The company’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond safety concerns. The Green Cab is phasing out its conventional fleet and replacing it with electric vehicles (EVs).
Despite starting before the era of EVs, the company is embracing this eco-friendly shift and plans to roll out 230 electric vehicles over the next five years.
With 60 vehicles owned and operated by The Green Cab and an additional 170 to be owned by women franchisees, the initiative holds promise for job creation and economic empowerment.
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The company is exploring partnerships with manufacturers like Volvo to make the transition smoother.
Training programmes are underway to equip women drivers with the skills needed to operate the new electric fleet. Upon completion, drivers will have the opportunity to start their own franchise businesses, further promoting female entrepreneurship in the transportation sector.
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Picture: The Green Cab
