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Posted on the 9th November 2026 in PHTM News

FEMALE DRIVER ONLY PRIVATE HIRE SERVICE TO LAUNCH IN DURHAM AND SUNDERLAND

A County Durham entrepreneur is preparing to launch a new private hire business staffed exclusively by female drivers after identifying a strong demand for women-only transport options. 

Jill Donison, 51, from Seaham, came up with the concept while working as a private hire driver and noticing how positively passengers reacted to having a woman behind the wheel.

Ms Donison previously worked as a residential carer in children's services until a workplace accident forced her to change careers. 

In August this year, she began driving for Uber, where female passengers frequently expressed their relief and enthusiasm upon seeing her. 

She explained: "There was something always in the back of my mind that there was a need for more female drivers. When I was driving people, it would happen up to ten times a day where women were getting in the car and saying, 'Oh my God, a woman driver, this is amazing'."

Reassuring male operators that her venture is not intended to undermine existing drivers, Ms Donison emphasised that her goal is simply to offer passengers a clear alternative. She stated: "I don't want anyone to feel I'm being disrespectful to male drivers. There are thousands of brilliant male drivers who ensure the safety of their passengers, but I just saw a gap in the market and I want to give women the option to have a female driver if they want one."

The service will initially cover Durham and Sunderland, operating on a pre-booked basis rather than an app-based system, though an app may be introduced as the business expands. 

Describe the public reaction as "absolutely amazing," Ms Donison is currently awaiting her operator's licence before officially launching the firm and recruiting a team of female drivers to provide women across the region with an alternative way to travel.

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