• Pascal is not bothered by smell of poop when a diaper change is made in his car
Incidents of women getting assaulted during taxi rides persist even with the security measures installed by taxi companies.
Such cases prompted Bolt, a leading taxi app, to introduce a women-only service, whereby women request rides from female drivers.
Taxi driver Pascal Mulumba has changed the game by offering comfort and a safe space for not just women but also mothers.
“I have diapers, wipes, combs, mirror, lotion, sanitary towels, sanitisers... And they are all free of charge,” he told Word Is.
On his dashboard, Pascal has a sticker written: ‘Feel free to pick any’.
“A woman with a child is someone going through a lot. It is easy for them to forget [supplies]. I am there so that when they forget, they don’t have to worry.”
Pascal explained why he decided to stock such products in his car.
A woman with a child is someone going through a lot. It is easy for them to forget [supplies]. I am there so that when they forget, they don’t have to worry
“People do get emergencies sometimes, and it can be embarrassing to ask the cab driver to stop so you can go and buy essentials,” he said.
“Instead of going through such hassles, I thought of putting those things there just to help them.”
Pascal is not bothered by the smell of poop when a diaper change is made in his car. Instead, he has car air fresheners for his next customer to walk into a nice-smelling car.
He stops by a petrol station when one wants to throw away used diapers or is having a periods emergency.
The taxi driver, who works with Bolt and Uber companies, also minds his male customers.
Products such as sweets, chewing gums and face masks are available for children, men and women to use for free.
“I believe you get when you give. I believe in being different. There are many taxis in the city. The only way I can make this ride memorable is through offering such things,” Pascal said.
The trained sound technician ventured into the taxi business after losing his job at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The company had to lay off all of us. I went into business with my cousin. Later on, I got this car from a friend.”
He says his aim is to make any customer feel comfortable riding in his car.
Edited by T Jalio