Taxi queue marshals - The smooth operators

Have you ever wondered who the men are that are running after the taxi before it drops you off at the station or the men that ask you where you are heading and whether you know where to catch the taxis that you are looking for? Well, those are the men that direct the commuters to the correct taxis and make sure that you do not get lost and get caught up with all of the commotion and chaos at the taxi ranks, formally known as the queue marshals.

The taxi smooth operators: taxi queue marshals at the Bosman taxi rank, Pretoria

 

 Queue Marshals play an extraordinary role at the taxi ranks, yes it might not seem as  a standard position that requires much training or qualifications but it allows for the smooth running of both commuters and taxi drivers. They are hardly noticed nor are they taken seriously by the public but their impeccable presence would be missed if they were to be removed from the taxi ranks.

 Smart taxi ranks understands that queue marshals need formal training on quality customer service and conduct. Mainly focusing on how to receive customers and usher them around in the taxi ranks. Not forgetting that customer service goes hand in hand with the choice of words, language and tone that queue marshals should use when communicating with customers, which needs to change to a more formal approach rather than them intimidating customers and being too forward.

 Queue marshals need uniforms that can give them an image that is acceptable and accepting in the eyes of the customers. Generally an appearance that could best sell them as people in business for the interest of commuters and that can help erase the current perception of who they are and their industry at large.

 If they were to excel in these areas of improvement maybe the public might start to notice them in a different light and at the end of the day this is a job that enables queue marshals to feed their families, educate their children and to make a living. 

Women taxi drivers in the taxi industry

They say is a male dominated industry. Women disagree; it has been found that there are a lot of female taxi drivers in the same industry. Women still show that they can do a man’s job. It is difficult for them to fit in because commuters tend not trust women drivers simply because they have a certain perception about male drivers.

Mother of two, Penny Tinise, defies stereotypes in a male dominated taxi industry http://bit.ly/1Vhusl1

 During this women’s month they still show that they got what it takes to be the same as their counterparts which are males. They say a women’s place is in the kitchen but these individual women disagree (women empowerment). A lot of female commuters get inspired by women who drive taxis.

Regardless of the challenges that female drivers face they still find the taxi industry to be a very interesting industry. “There is a lot of money they say” they can be able to take care of their families through the work that they do and love which is of driving taxis. “Wa thinta a bafazi wa thinta i mbokoto” meaning you strike a woman you strike a rock indeed these women show that women are the same as men regardless of gender issues and what society tells them.

Our local female taxi drivers encourage other women to join the taxi industry this eliminate socioeconomic issues such as poverty and unemployment. The more women see the taxi industry as an opportunity to aliviate poverty and employment the better the society becomes.

Women In charge

Long ago before you and I were born, women were only required to serve men and bare them children. A sad time indeed but many women took pride in that role. Silently, without a voice or a say women enjoyed their everyday duties and made the best of them to ensure that everything in the house ran smoothly.

A time where men were in charge of everything and their voice was regarded to be more superior and much more important than a woman’s. A sad time indeed but women remained submissive and obedient towards men to ensure a successful running of the household.

                      http://bit.ly/1JzMyug

 

Now time has changed, whereby women are given a platform to voice out their concerns, worries and anything that makes them feel uncomfortable and uncertain. A platform for women to be whatever they want to be, to pursue any career they feel comfortable in and to be an independent, strong woman.

Female taxi drivers are causing a major stir and confusion amongst men in the taxi industry. Some are threatened by the fact that woman are capable of matching up to standards or requirements that are needed for one to be a taxi driver. Male taxi drivers feel that they are now placed in a position to compete with women even in the workplace, which makes them feel uncomfortable and a little infuriated with the thought that women power is starting to dominate different industries that were associated to being “manly jobs”.

Not only is it affecting taxi drivers but it is also affecting commuters. Both female and male commuters are a little taken off /back by the idea (apprehensive) whilst others are excited and are celebrating the change because now Commuters may start to feel less stressed and much safer on the road when driven by a female taxi driver.

How is it affecting commuters? and how can we change that?

It is high time that the taxi industry appreciates and respects women instead of them undermining and scrutinising women’s rights (outrage over attack on miniskirt-wearing woman). Women have the right to be employed as taxi drivers who are competent, hardworking and committed to their daily activities.

How can we educate

Yes change does not happen overnight, it is the process of educating, learning and communicating that will ensure the proper translations, transformation and acceptance of change in the taxi industry.