The city of Cologne in Germany has launched a new initiative called the Women’s Night Taxi scheme, which provides vouchers worth €10 for women and gender-diverse people to use for taxi rides between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am. Inspired by similar projects in other German cities such as Munich, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Giessen, the scheme aims to address safety concerns for women traveling alone at night. Despite some criticism over the low value of the vouchers compared to the actual cost of night-time taxis in major cities, the project has received praise from various media outlets and social media users for its proactive approach to women’s safety issues in public spaces.
In recent years, various apps and services promoting women’s safety have been introduced in Germany. These include hotlines staffed by volunteers who offer support to women during their journeys and are ready to pass on information to the police in case of emergency. A survey conducted in 2020 by the BKA federal police found that more than two-thirds of German women fear taking public transport when it gets dark. Another study by NGO Plan International revealed that a quarter of women in cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, and Munich had experienced sexual harassment, while a fifth had been followed, insulted, or threatened while moving around their cities. These findings highlight the urgent need for measures that ensure the safety and security of women in public spaces, especially during nighttime hours.
The Women’s Night Taxi scheme in Cologne has been launched as a pilot project and is set to run until August 2025. The initiative provides 1,500 vouchers worth €10 each that can be used exclusively with one taxi company, Taxi Ruf. This project follows the success of similar initiatives in other German cities, with Munich increasing its subsidy for night taxi coupons from €5 to €10 due to rising demand. The scheme aims to make transportation safer for women and gender-diverse individuals, especially during late hours when the risk of harassment and assault may be higher. By providing financial support for taxi rides, the project seeks to empower women to travel more confidently and independently at night.
The city of Cologne’s decision to implement the Women’s Night Taxi scheme comes at a crucial time, as the city prepares for its New Year festivities nearly nine years after a wave of sexual assaults occurred during the celebrations near the cathedral in 2015. In the aftermath of the 2015 New Year’s Eve events, hundreds of women reported incidents ranging from sexual molestation to theft to the police. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address safety concerns for women in public spaces, particularly during crowded events and late-night gatherings. By offering vouchers for night-time taxis, the city aims to ensure that women feel safer and more secure when traveling alone at night, especially in situations where they may be at a higher risk of harassment or violence.
Overall, the Women’s Night Taxi scheme in Cologne represents a proactive step towards promoting women’s safety in public spaces, particularly during nighttime hours when the risk of assault and harassment may be greater. By providing financial support for taxi rides and partnering with a specific taxi company, the initiative aims to empower women and gender-diverse individuals to travel more safely and independently at night. The project is part of a broader trend in Germany towards launching apps and services that prioritize the safety and security of women, particularly in response to high levels of fear and incidents of harassment in public spaces. As the initiative continues to evolve and expand, it is expected to make a meaningful impact on improving women’s experiences and confidence when moving around cities, especially during late hours when safety concerns are heightened.
