Bengaluru: Medha R, a city-based professional, was pleasantly surprised when she hopped into an airport taxi late one night and was handed a pink card by a staff member. Initially unsure of its purpose, she soon realised it was meant for her safety. “When I opened the card, I was pleasantly surprised as it mentioned my rights as a rider and also had an emergency number I could dial if I needed assistance,” she said.The pink safety card is part of a broader initiative, introduced in 2016, at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to enhance safety for women travellers. Since its launch, over five lakh cards have been distributed to women travelling alone in airport taxis between 8pm and 6am — a time window that aligns with late-night and early-morning flight schedules.“The pink safety card initiative is designed to make the journey safer and more reassuring for solo women travellers by providing easy access to verified emergency contacts and support systems. Handed over at the boarding point, it is a thoughtful step towards ensuring women travellers feel guided and supported throughout their journey,” the spokesperson said.The cards are issued to passengers using Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Mega airport taxis. “App-based aggregators operate their own safety protocols, including in-app SOS buttons and emergency-contact sharing,” the spokesperson added.The card also outlines the key rights of passengers, including the right to a regulated fare set by the state transport authority, the right to request the driver to show official fare notifications, and the entitlement to a non-stop journey to the destination. Passengers are also encouraged to ask drivers to maintain safe driving practices.In addition to listing rider rights, the card prominently displays an emergency helpline number. According to airport officials, the helpline has served a purpose beyond distress situations. “The helpline has received a few distress-related calls. However, its usage extends well beyond emergencies,” the spokesperson said. “A significant number of calls come from first-time travellers seeking guidance, clarifications on pickup points, booking-related queries, and even sharing feedback.“For many commuters, the initiative has added a tangible sense of security. Nisarga S, who recently travelled alone from the airport to Basavanagudi late at night, said the card made her feel more at ease.“The safety card made it clear that the taxi was being GPS-tracked and that I could even ask the driver to drive slowly. I received the card, and the staff ensured that the KSTDC app was active on the driver’s phone before we started. I felt comfortable throughout the ride,” she said.Beyond pink safety cards, the airport has introduced additional measures such as women-only cab services, operated by trained female drivers and equipped with GPS tracking and SOS alerts.
