FTL, OAIS launch cab fleet exclusively for women

Also launches a training institute for women drivers and security personnel

Sayoni Bhaduri - Mumbai

Orix Auto Infrastructure Services (OAIS) and IL&FS have formed a strategic alliance with For-She women taxi service to launch a taxi service exclusively for women and their family. Twenty cabs named 'Mumbai Cab For-She' were flagged off at the formal launch event in Mumbai. Revathi Roy, managing director of FTL informed that Maruti Suzuki specifically designed a six-seater Versa OX, equipped with state-of-the-art technology including a GPS and GPRS tracking and monitoring device. "A direct telephone number - 44333222 - can be reached day or night for bookings for the taxi service," Roy further added.

The group is also planning a launch of these services in cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, over the span of two months. Orix already has a tie-up with the Taj properties in Mumbai and also will be extending the For-She cab services to them. They will provide these services to the corporate at special price packages and to the retail with a special flag down tariff followed by one hour per 10 kilometers.

Also with the launch of the taxi services, FTL announced the launch of the FTL Academy for women drivers and security personnel. Neeraj Kumar, CEO of OAIS said, "Safety is a product worth nurturing and OAIS is on its way to making it a benchmark for all." FTL is currently working towards acquiring some international affiliations for accreditation and designing the best content for training. The academy, too, will be launched in six other locations in the country, all within a span of two months.

For-She had integrated with OAIS and IL&FS in December 2007 for the women taxi service. Commenting on the alliance Kumar said, "This alliance is part of a continuum, a step to make sure that we cater to every niche that exists."