GLASGOW Taxis has today launched a personalised female account to provide a safe, secure and prioritised service to women during the notoriously busy Christmas period.
The black taxi company said it felt duty bound to protect citizens who can become vulnerable – and in the worst cases, victims of attack – when left to walk the streets, searching for a taxi, after a night out.
Now Glasgow Taxis’ ‘Female First; service means any lone woman (or husband, boyfriend, father on behalf of their loved one) can arrange a dedicated personal account over the Christmas period – and beyond – with the following advantages:
- Prioritised booking service with prioritised number.
- A personal phonecall on arrival of taxi – meaning the customer can wait safely indoors until it arrives.
- A driver covered by Full Enhanced Disclosure Scotland (all Glasgow Taxis drivers have FEDS).
- No administration fees for the first two months – an introductory offer.
- All calls recorded – digitally and on paper.
- Payment of account is made monthly (on the 17th of the month) meaning the customer doesn’t require cash to book one.
- ‘Street credit’ hire facility whereby the customer can use her account to stop any Glasgow Taxi (with a small flag on top) on the street.
Danny Ryan, acting chair of Glasgow Taxis, said: “We have decided to introduce this dedicated and personalised account to female customers as we feel a responsibility to do everything we can to ensure their security and safe journeys home during the Christmas period.
“Glasgow Taxis’ drivers witness year on year the difficulties some young women can find themselves in at the end of a night out; from being ill equipped for the cold, unwilling to wait in short queues, out of pocket and sometimes worse for wear.
“It is with those scenarios at the forefront of our minds that we knew we had to do something to help women make a safe journey home at the end of these nights out.
“Additionally, with the majority of Glasgow Taxis’ staff being conscientious fathers, husbands, boyfriends and so on, we know what goes through the minds of so many Glaswegians when their loved ones are out partying till the early hours and we wanted to provide a service which could offer some peace of mind.
“The result of all this is our new, dedicated ‘Female First’ account which is available now and, as an introductory offer, with no admin fees for the first two months.
“As a father of two girls myself, I will be the first to sign up to the service.”
Anyone wishing to register someone for a ‘Female First’ account should contact 0141 554 2222 and quote ‘Female First’.
Glasgow Taxis offers business and personal accounts to all customers – and is equally happy to discuss personal accounts with male customers ahead of the festive period.
Strathclyde Police Chief Superintendent Ruaraidh Nicolson, Community Safety, said: “Strathclyde Police welcomes and supports any initiative to get people home safely and encourages them to plan ahead, not just during the festive season, but any time of the year.”
The female safety campaign is just the latest measure introduced by Glasgow Taxis to provide a safer Glasgow.
The company, with more than 2,000 drivers and around 1,000 vehicles in the city, has also been praised for its ‘Nite Zones’, which it runs in partnership with Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police and Glasgow Community and Safety Services.
The staffed Nite Zones have been operating in Gordon Street and Sauchiehall Street since 2005 providing dedicated marshalls to ensure the safety of people queuing for taxis, as well as dedicated CCTV cameras and better street lighting for visibility.
The scheme was extended to Albion Street in the Merchant City and Byres Road in the west end in September.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “This initiative is a terrific idea to help ensure the safety of many Glaswegians over the Christmas period and beyond.
“Glasgow Taxis’ staff also deserve praise for ensuring a significant number of its fleet has been on the road this week, serving the business community despite such tough road and weather conditions.”
Danny Ryan continued: “Glasgow Taxis is committed to working with its partners to ensure all our customers have as safe and enjoyable a Christmas and New Year period as possible.”
Ends.
Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Glasgow Taxis. For further information contact Brian Welsh on 0141 333 9585, 07976 456 765 or email brian.welsh@bigpartnership.co.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by The BIG Partnership. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Brian Welsh
Phone: 0141 333 9585
Email: brian.welsh@bigpartnership.com
Website: http://www.
