FLAGGING down a stranger's car and climbing in for a late night lift sounds a risky business.http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/women?articleid=4069457

But after a night out with the girls, scores of women are faced with either leaping into a cab or braving unsavoury characters on buses or in the streets.

However, after more horror headlines about rogue unlicensed cabbies attacking lone female passengers, some women are opting to stay home on safety grounds.

But determined to remedy this trend are sisters Kathy Byrne and Alison Crossland who this week launch Doncaster's first women-only cab service.

Kathy, 46, from Auckley and Alison, 44, from Sprotbrough jacked in their jobs to become full time cabbies with Fareladies - cabs driven by women, for women.

Said Kathy: "We first had the idea 18 months ago when we realised we could do something to offer more choice to women who otherwise might be too frightened to travel alone."

The private-hire cars really are just for the girls.

Apart from under 12s, no men will be allowed in their cabs - not even men in couples.

"We have to be pre-booked and it's a condition of service that it can only be women in the cars and that's for our safety as much as anyone else's.

"There are some excellent cab firms in Doncaster but there is a perception among women and often their partners too, that they will be safer with a woman at the wheel.

"We just aim to give women that choice but no one likes to be the last one left in a taxi regardless of who's driving.

Now, with their new black cars and black and pink uniforms, the sisters are ready and racing to go but it has been a long journey to get behind the wheel.

The pair had support and advice from Doncaster Chamber but still had miles of red-tape to cut through, including taking "the knowledge" taxi test for Doncaster's roads to gain their licences.

"The test was hard," said Kathy. "They asked for the location of a pub which was demolished weeks ago."

SInce planning the venture though, Kathy said the positive feedback from women has been very encouraging.

"We've learned that there are women who won't go out because they're too scared about getting home on their own, who would be very keen to travel with us.

"Parents needing to send their children off alone have also said it was a good idea.

"We are going to offer a door-to-door, umbrella service and all the niceties we would like as passengers.

"We never realised getting started with this would take so long but now we're nearly there, we're very excited now."

Fareladies got into gear on Tuesday and can be pre-booked by calling (01302) 773322.

Kathy and Alison also invite any female cab licence-holders to contact them. For more information, visit www.fareladiestaxis.com.