RARE BREED: Female taxi-drivers (front, from left) Maggie Gan, 51, Ruth Lim, 48, (back, from left) Irene Kee, 48, Tan Ai Sioh, 55 and Lily Chng, 55. Only 2 per cent of those who hold taxi vocational licences here are women. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

According to the Land Transport Authority, fewer than 2,400 women hold taxi vocational licences today.

Although this is a lot more than the 350 women licence holders back in 1990, it is still only a tiny 2 per cent of all licence holders.

Ms Susan Lim, 61, a cabby with SMRT Taxis for eight years, said: 'Maybe they are not brave enough. Many women don't feel confident even driving their own car. And driving a cab is definitely tougher.'

A florist who sold her business during the Asian financial crisis, she added that women of her generation tended to be more conservative.

'Initially, I felt very shy. Socially, I was very reserved. But not anymore. Now I feel comfortable talking to anybody,' she said.

The art of cab-driving also calls for some boldness. Ms Lim recalled that when she first started, she was too nice on the road.

'You have to act tough if you want to make a living,' she said, recalling what she learnt. Giving way to other motorists, she found, meant slowing down and that could mean losing a fare to another cabby.

'This is a lesson you learn through the years, not in a day,' she added.

After six months behind the wheel, ComfortDelGro Corp newbie Maggie Gan, a youthful 51, said that there are other factors stacked against women in this job.

'I have women friends who want to join me, but they are scared of encountering 'wolves',' she said, referring to male passengers who think they can get more than a taxi ride.

'I make up my hair shabbily to ward off unwanted attention.'

So far, she has had only one male passenger who tried to get fresh. 'It was an ah pek in his 70s who sat in front. During the journey, he said I was very pretty. I said: 'No lah, old already',' she recalled with a laugh.

'But Singapore is quite safe,' she added.

Ms Gan said there is also the issue of toilet breaks. 'It can be more inconvenient for women, especially when you're driving long hours and it's that time of the month.'

Then she went on to explain why things are different for men - striking a familiar chord with women all over who have to juggle domestic duties with a career.

After clocking a 5am to 5pm shift, the relief cabby who drives only on Sundays goes home to cook for the family - even though her children (aged 28, 26 and 18) are quite capable of fending for themselves.

'If I were a man, I would not have to look after the family this way,' said Ms Gan, who drives a minivan ferrying workers on weekdays.

Still, she felt driving a cab was ideal for her. 'It gives me independence and freedom. And I can still be home to take care of the family.'

She readily admits that she needs the job, as her 54-year-old husband does not have full-time work.

Taxi companies welcome women cabbies, saying they are more service-oriented and are less likely to give them problems.

ComfortDelGro spokesman Tammy Tan said: 'Female cabbies are every bit as competent as their male counterparts and are well accepted amongst their peers.'

The group has about 560 active women cabbies. Although this is up from 310 in 2003, they make up less than 2 per cent of ComfortDelGro's cabby strength of 32,000.

Ms Tan said the women cabbies tend to be younger, averaging between 40 and 49 versus 50 and 59 for the men.

'Generally, passengers respond better to female cabbies, who are perceived to be gentler and more patient,' Ms Tan said.

Premier Taxis managing director Lim Chong Boo concurs. He said: 'Our records indicate that female cabbies have fewer accidents and that suggests they practise safe driving habits consistently.

'Female cabbies also receive fewer complaints - probably because they are more conscientious and tactful.'

Cabby Lily Chng, 55, a 21-year veteran, has some words of advice for women who want to take up taxi-driving.

'This is a man's job. To excel in it, you have to be fit and have a proper mindset,' she said. 'You need concentration, and enough rest.

'You're in the taxi for many hours, so your mind has to be free and clear.

'Driving a cab today is more demanding than 20 years ago - the traffic, the customer, all quite different now.'

A former clerk, she switched to cab-driving in 1987 after her divorce and enjoys the fact that she is her own boss.

'I'm proud that I drive like a man,' Ms Chng said. 'And I'm proud of the other lady drivers.'

The ComfortDelGro cabby said she always makes it a point to greet her passengers. 'If you respect them, they will respect you. Once, I picked up someone who just came out of prison. No problem.'

What about amorous advances from fares?

'If you put on proper attire, people won't take advantage of you,' she said.

That may not always work. Premier Taxis cabby Ms Aisha Bee Mahmood, 47, recalled: 'I had a male passenger who was drunk. During the journey, he patted me on my shoulder suddenly and called me 'Darling'!

'I said: 'Please don't call me darling, I'm your taxi-driver.' And he said: 'Sorry ma'am.'

Like many other drivers, Ms Aisha said she enjoys the flexible hours and meeting all sorts of people.

'I like to talk to tourists and artists. This job gives me the opportunity to meet them,' said the former clerk who has been a cabby for 10 months.

christan@sph.com.sg