iCabbi’s Women in Taxi event, sponsored by Veezu, took place in Bristol on Friday 6th March, bringing together female leaders, operators, industry partners and entrepreneurs from across the UK taxi and private hire sector.
Now in its third year, the event is designed to create space for women working in the industry to share female perspectives, discuss challenges and opportunities, and contribute to conversations about the future of taxi and private hire. Hosted ahead of International Women’s Day, the event highlights the role women play across the sector. It highlights the importance of both seeking to uncover the female experience of taxi and private hire and to support it with initiatives and policies that deliver on equity and improve the female experience of being a passenger, driver or industry professional.
As a long-standing technology partner to the taxi and private hire industry, iCabbi supports its customers not only through its cutting-edge taxi dispatch platform, but also through initiatives that strengthen the industry community. iCabbi initiatives such as its Customer Success programme, the Taxi Alliance, The iCabbi Exchange network and community, and events like Women in Taxi are designed to help operators connect, share ideas, collaborate, learn and grow. iCabbi’s vision is to put taxi and private hire companies at the centre of mobility and its commitment to this goes far beyond technology alone.
The Bristol event welcomed more than 70 attendees, including LPHCA team members Steph Farrer, our event manager, and Louise Wright, who all gathered for a gala lunch followed by two lively panel discussions exploring female perspectives in the industry and the future of mobility.
The first panel explored the importance of understanding and supporting gender perspectives in transportation. Discussions examined how gender bias can appear in transportation design and urban planning, and the important role the taxi and private hire industry can play in creating mobility systems that work for everyone. Panelists also reflected on the unique perspectives female leaders bring to operating and growing taxi and private hire fleets.
The second panel turned its focus to the future of the industry and naturally, the discussion could not avoid one of the defining topics of modern mobility: artificial intelligence. Panelists explored how AI technology could support fleet operations, enhance safety, and potentially play a role in increasing female participation in the sector. The conversation also examined how fleets should approach AI strategy today in order to remain relevant and successful in the years ahead. The challenges, opportunities and risks associated with autonomous vehicles were also debated, with particular attention given to the unique position taxi and private hire fleets hold within their local communities.
Throughout the afternoon, one thing was clear: the room was never quiet. The depth and energy of the discussions highlighted just how important it is that female voices are part of conversations shaping the industry’s future.
During the event, iCabbi also announced a new partnership with Women in Transport. As part of its Taxi Alliance member benefits, iCabbi will invite each member fleet to nominate an employee to join the organisation, with iCabbi covering the cost of membership. Through this initiative, participating fleets will gain access to Women in Transport’s professional network, events, and mentoring opportunities, helping to further support female participation and leadership within the sector.
For further information, please see icabbi.com