from Ireland


WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Australia


IRELAND’S FIRST FEMALE-FOCUSED TAXI SERVICE, LADYCAB, DEBUTS


LadyCab, a new taxi service dedi- cated to offering female passengers the option of a female driver, launched in Dublin on 12 December, aiming to increase safety and security for women on the city’s streets. The company’s founder, Emanuela Negura, was motivated to create the service following a personal and distressing incident. Negura explained that the impetus for LadyCab: “I was attacked last year in July in this city centre by a male passenger, who tried to get in my car.” LadyCab’s bold and factual tagline: “Every woman deserves to get home safe,” has already garnered significant attention online. While some commenters have


CABBIE ALLEGEDLY DROVE AT POLICE IN SYDNEY AIRPORT STANDOFF


A Sydney man is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly using his taxi as a weapon against Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers at Sydney Airport on December 27, 2025. The 27-year-old appeared before Parramatta Local Court following a high-stakes confrontation that ended with an officer drawing their service firearm.


raised concerns about segregation and


discrimination, many women have voiced their support, stating the service makes them more comfortable with the idea of going out. The benefit is intended for both passengers and drivers. Negura hopes to cultivate a community for female drivers, many of whom have endured unpleasant experiences in the industry, including verbal abuse and inappropriate comments that left them feeling unsafe. The debut of LadyCab underscores a global trend driven by concerns over gender violence and safety. Similar female-focused transportation services exist worldwide, notably the Portuguese company Pinker, which launched in 2024 with 1,000 women pre- registering as drivers. Uber has also introduced a feature allowing female drivers and passengers to request a same-sex driver, offering a free cancellation if the request cannot be met. Furthermore, specific carriages on public transport systems globally are often reserved for women to provide a safe space, particularly during peak hours. LadyCab has already received numerous pre- bookings and plans to expand rapidly in 2026 to other cities across Ireland, Europe, and potentially beyond.


PHTM JANUARY 2026


The incident began when AFP officers were called to investigate reports of two taxi drivers operating despite being subject to barring notices. A barring notice is an official ban, often for 24 months, issued by the NSW Taxi Council or Airport management, preventing specific taxi service providers (such as Apex Cabs recently) from picking up passengers at the kerbside for serious rule breaches, such as touting, non-compliance, uncooperative behaviour, unsafe practices, traffic obstruction, or overcharging, to maintain safety and standards against rogue operators. Upon the arrival of the police, the 27-year-old suspect allegedly fled toward his vehicle in an attempt to escape the scene. Authorities allege the man’s attempt to leave became life-threatening when he bypassed a marked AFP vehicle that had been positioned to block his path. Despite being ordered to stop by a second officer, the man allegedly steered the taxi directly toward the member of the force. The situation reached a critical point when the officer was forced to draw their firearm to halt the oncoming vehicle. While the taxi eventually stopped and no shots were fired, the man was immediately arrested and taken to Sydney Airport Station. The driver now faces several significant charges, the most severe being one count of using a weapon to resist arrest, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years’ imprisonment. He is further charged with unlawful entry on enclosed land, failure to comply with directions, and resisting a commonwealth public official. AFP Sydney


Airport Police Commander Davina


Copelin issued a stern warning following the arrest, stating that there is a “zero tolerance” policy for any attempts to harm officials.


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