India could soon get its first fleet of radio cabs run by LGBT driver. Called Wings Rainbow, the initiative hopes to dispel prejudices and boost employment opportunities for members of the transgender community in particular, who often face economic difficulties due to social discrimination. The service will first launch in Mumbai sometime in 2017.
As part of the pilot project, five people will receive training in driving and customer etiquette over the next few months, after which they will be helped in securing commercial driving licenses. The five comprise of three transgenders and two gay men, who are all in their 20s and 30s.
The initiative has been started jointly by a Mumbai-based NGO, Humsafar Trust, and a travel agency, Wings Travels, which will employ the drivers. Once the first five drivers have been trained, Wings Travels plans to enroll more members of the LGBT community in other Indian cities.
A landmark Supreme Court judgement in 2014 had upheld the constitutional rights of transgenders in India, and asked the central government to give them medical and housing benefits, along with job reservation at par with other socially and economically backward communities.
"The judgement emphasised that transgenders would be eligible for jobs. Yet, most don't have any regular source of income. Through this service, we want to give them a better life," said Niloufer from Humsafar Trust, which works for LGBT rights.