A Kiwi-Indian single mother in Christchurch is turning her personal challenges into a business that puts women’s safety first. Mehak Sharma, also known as Meg Sharma, launched Pink Taxi in December 2025, a service designed to give women and mothers a safer, more reliable ride.
“When I moved to New Zealand, I had very limited support, especially when it came to things like school pick-ups and drop-offs. Balancing work, parenting, and transport logistics was often challenging,” Sharma told The Indian Weekender.
“As a mother to a young daughter, safety is always at the forefront of your mind,” she shared.
It was during that time of steering through life that Sharma realised she often struggled to find a reliable transport option as a parent, something she believes many mothers and families experience, which eventually led to the creation of Pink Taxi.
Photo: Pink Taxi/Supplied
A service built around safety
Sharma says the need for services like Pink Taxi comes from a reality many women still face when travelling alone.
“Unfortunately, many women still feel vulnerable when travelling alone. This is something we hear directly from our passengers almost every day.”
The company operates with an all-women crew, with drivers trained in self-defence and first aid. Some drivers were recruited through different channels, while others approached the company directly after hearing about the concept and wanting to be part of a women-led initiative.
Sharma said the two full-time drivers often hear stories from passengers who describe feeling “uncomfortable or unsafe in other taxis or rideshare services.”
To add another layer of security, the service also operates a text-based emergency alert system that allows drivers to notify their internal support network if they feel unsafe or face an emergency.
“This system ensures that communication is immediate and that assistance can be activated quickly if needed,” she explained.
“Safety is a fundamental value of Pink Taxi, so investing in training is an important part of maintaining that standard,” Sharma shared her vision.
Pink Taxi has been operating for about three months and has already completed around 400 rides.
According to Sharma, the response from passengers has been encouraging, with many women saying they feel a sense of ease when booking the service.
“They feel they can relax, have a conversation, and trust the person driving them,” Sharma explained.
Currently, the service operates six days a week in Christchurch. On Fridays and Saturdays, taxis run through the night to support women who need transport after work, events, or late-night outings.
The operation remains small for now, with rides currently bookable by phone or through social media, and plans underway for a mobile app.
Pricing, Sharma says, is comparable to other taxi and rideshare services, although the focus is not purely on competing on cost.
“Women deserve to feel valued and safe when they travel, and we aim to provide a premium, reassuring experience rather than simply the cheapest ride,” she said.
Sharma moved to New Zealand from Sydney nine years ago.
“Working closely with vulnerable communities and women in difficult circumstances shaped my understanding of the challenges many people face in everyday life.”
While the concept of women-focused taxi services already exists in cities such as Bengaluru and Delhi in India, Sharma said she was not aware of those initiatives when she first developed the idea.
“It was encouraging to see that the values behind Pink Taxi — improving safety and creating opportunities for women — are shared by initiatives in other parts of the world as well,” she explained.
Currently, Pink Taxi operates two vehicles in Christchurch, with plans to expand the fleet as demand grows.
For Sharma, the service is about more than simply getting passengers from one place to another.
“It also creates employment opportunities for women who want to work in a supportive and empowering environment,” she shared.