Kuwait Times

Published Date: January 11, 2010

KUWAIT: During the next few weeks, and for the first time in the country, people will begin to see pink taxis on the road in Kuwait. The taxis will be driven by women and are for female customers only. Bedoor Al-Mutairi said she expects her ambitious new project to succeed because many women need to feel secure in their transportation. She hopes to spare women the hassle they might face when a male driver takes them to their destinations. Al-Mutairi said the project, called Eve Taxi, follows the example se
t in a number of Arab and Islamic countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Bangladesh.

She added that a number of European countries implemented the new style of transportation this year in such places as Britain, Spain and Mexico, even though they are known for being liberal.

Al-Mutairi said it took her a year and a half to plan, develop the project and complete the official documents. People will soon be seeing pink taxis on the streets, Al-Mutairi said, and added that the Eve Taxi phone numbers will be announced shortly.

She praised the Kuwait Small Projects Development Company, a governmental body of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), for supporting her project and making it a reality. She said that she made the project 100 percent female oriented by ensuring that all the drivers are women, the vehicles are pink and that even the accessories and magazines are suited for women.

No men will be allowed in the taxi, Al-Mutairi said. The taxi will operate from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and will be equipped with a GPS system, she added. The taxi drivers are highly qualified and well acquainted with Kuwait areas, she said. The prices of the taxi will be in compliance with the regulations of the Interior Ministry, and the taxi routes will cover the governorates of Hawalli, Asma, and Farwaniyah she assured.

KIA Public Relations Officer, Zainab Al-Wazan, said KIA wanted to enthusiastically support the idea because it is suitable to the nature of Kuwaiti society. The company supports Kuwaiti youth initiatives by offering feasibility studies, funding, and 80 percent partnership with costs that may reach up to KD 400,000 without interest or any guarantees or mortgages. KIA also assumes the project's risks, Al-Wazan said. The Kuwait Investment Authority provides performance incentives for up to 60 percent of the p
rofit as well as their shares of the revenue of the project's capital, Al-Wazan added. - (KUNA)