What It Means When You See a Pink Taxi

As a frequent solo traveler, I’m always relieved to have options for tours, accommodations and other services that cater to women. But it’s rare to find women-only transportation, even though the majority of solo travelers—71%, according to a 2024 Virtuoso report—are women. So I was pleasantly surprised when a “pink taxi” picked me up at Delhi airport on a visit to India.

Never heard of or seen a pink taxi? They’re not currently in the United States, so you’ll have to travel internationally to spot one. But what exactly are pink taxis? Read on to learn more about why some taxis are pink, why some women are choosing pink taxis and where in the world you can find them.

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Why are some taxis pink?

Some taxis are painted pink to make them easily identifiable as a women-only taxi service in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Both the driver and passenger are female (or non-binary, in some places). Although I’m not a fan of the color choice, which is overused in association with women and girls, the bold hue certainly does stand out in a sea of neutral-colored cars and traditional black and yellow cabs.

Male drivers make up around 82% of taxi drivers in the United States and about 97% in the United Kingdom. In Mexico, men are at the wheel of more than 95% of buses, trucks, taxis and passenger cars. “Pink taxis are a great option for women who prefer to travel independently. There’s something really comforting [as a woman] about knowing a woman is behind the wheel—especially if you’re traveling late at night,” says Parul Sinha, the director of Sacred Dot, a tour company operating in South Asia and parts of the Middle East. “Even for women with children, it just feels more relaxed and secure.”

What are the advantages of pink taxis?

The advantages of pink taxis include safety and comfort (for passengers and drivers), as well as job opportunities (for drivers). Uber’s most recent U.S. safety report revealed more than 2,700 incidents of sexual assault in one year, and that number only includes official complaints submitted to Uber—the real number is likely higher. I’ve personally encountered numerous inappropriate male drivers and, in some instances, exited before arriving at my destination in order to escape. So I’m always relieved to spot a pink taxi or see a female driver on a rideshare app. And Sinha shared the same sentiment. “I am always delighted to get a woman driver through my rideshare apps,” she says. “Not only here [in India] but anywhere in the world.”

Advantages for passengers

In addition to providing a female driver, pink taxis often have GPS tracking and security cameras, and some offer services suited to mothers, such as space for strollers. “Friends have used pink taxis [from the airport] when arriving late at night and have found it super helpful and comforting,” Sinha says. “Some mentioned it’s easier to express your needs or discomfort to a woman driver, especially when you’re traveling alone or with small children.”

Advantages for drivers

Female drivers, who also sometimes face harassment from male passengers, can feel at ease knowing all their pink taxi passengers are women and non-binary travelers. Additionally, pink taxi services can create economic opportunities and financial independence. This is especially important in places where education, job training and employment options may be limited for women.

Which countries have pink taxi services?

Here's What It Means When You See A Pink Taxi AFP/Stringer/Getty Images

Several places around the world, including India, Egypt, England, El Salvador, Dubai, Portugal and Mexico, have pink taxis or other similar women-only taxi services. Some cities in Japan, India and Mexico also have designated train cars for women.

However, even in countries that have pink taxi services, you may have trouble finding one when and where you need it. In my 15-plus years of travel to more than 30 countries, I’ve only been able to book a pink taxi or female driver a handful of times. “There are very few opportunities to use these services,” Sinha says. “In India, they are mostly restricted to airport transfers and are only available in a few cities, like Delhi and Bengaluru.”

Are there pink taxis in the U.S.?

Pink taxis are not currently available in the U.S. But Lyft provides an option called Women+ Connect for women and non-binary riders to request a female driver in select cities. However, it is based on availability, so you’re not guaranteed to get a female driver.

Are there downsides to pink taxis?

While all these “pink” services are comforting to some travelers, they’ve also faced pushback. Pink taxi programs have been criticized for infantilizing and segregating women, charging higher prices than standard taxis and failing to address the need for these services in the first place: the behavior of men who threaten and harm women. Pink taxi drivers have also encountered harassment from male taxi drivers.

Additionally, the taxi color can cause confusion in some places. A pink-colored cab doesn’t necessarily guarantee a female driver everywhere. In some countries, such as Thailand, it’s common to see entire fleets of standard taxis (primarily operated by male drivers) painted pink to indicate a particular taxi cooperative, not the driver’s gender. So if you’re interested in using a pink taxi, be sure to do destination-specific research before you hit the road.

Despite these downsides, based on my own experiences as a solo female traveler, I always choose a pink taxi or other women-only transportation every chance I get.

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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece, Sunny Fitzgerald tapped her experience as a longtime travel writer and frequent traveler to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

Parul Sinha, director of Sacred Dot, a tour company operating in South Asia and parts of the Middle East
Virtuoso: “The voices redefining luxury”
The Taxi Centre: “‘Females in the fleet’ charter aims to address gender imbalance in taxi industry”
Gobierno de Mexico: “Bus drivers, trucks, taxis, and passenger cars: Occupation 2024-Q3”
Data USA: “Taxi drivers”
Uber: “Uber’s U.S. safety report”
Lyft: “Rides by women, for women”