Waida Hilybocus: "Taxi Women" On All Fronts

While sitting in the seat, the seat belt in place, windows down, radio mute, Waida Hilybocus, eyes not leaving the road. Between two small jokes with his client "long" Waida Hilybocus leads carefully. No question of taking a ticket for reckless driving or putting the lives of its customers at risk. 

"I'm so used to my clients, they have become almost friends. Hard not to start the conversation. However, I never let me distracted when I'm driving. The safety of my clients is my priority, "says Waida Hilybocus.

However, if there was no plate on his cab Toyota Axio, beige metallic, would never have guessed that Waida, quarantine sounded good, worked as a taxi driver. With his heels, not to mention his "Sharara" ... her makeup well proportioned, his hair in the wind, it is necessary on all fronts ... the tune. "I am very concerned about the image that I plan and I think it is very important to my clients. Moreover, they always tell me that I am very dainty, "says she.

After three years in the profession, has Waida customer loyalty is exclusively female. Just like in London with the "Pink Ladies Cab" Waida Hilybocus, offers its services to women only taxi. "Women now fear for their safety and fear of being mugged. With a woman at the wheel, they do not have to worry do, "says the mother of two children.

Her customers

Her clientele: women active in their professional or private trips, as well as young people who prefer a ride after their nightlife, or seniors who need to get to their medical appointments, or the infants age.

Moreover, these were her first clients. "I started with two children in kindergarten and word of mouth, women have contacted me. In addition to the safety aspect, I think they feel more comfortable. Also, there are people who have the means but lack of time, they can not take care of their elders. They called me, and I'll drop them to their appointment and subsequently recovers, "says Waida Hilybocus.

If she is aware that women feel reassured by his presence, our habit of flying reveals it is far from being a coward. Light districts, it does not leak at all. "I can go to any place in Mauritius, even neighborhoods called hot. I think if I'm not looking for a fight, then there is no reason why other attack me. I make my way quietly. Moreover, it is my job, "says Waida Hilybocus.

Yet, despite its small size, the one we dubbed the "Iron Lady", and who qualifies for bold, tough and does not let walk all over ... was formerly the example of a "Desperate Housewives."

Aside from changing diapers, cooking, cleaning brief look after the well-being of his family, Waida knew absolutely nothing done. Even worse, she did not believe she was going to say in this world as a male preserve.

"When I decided to do this job, I did not ask. I said there was no reason why I can not do it. I made an application for a taxi license and I got it, I started right away, "she says.

If she was confident before going in the field, it is because it has always been in contact with this profession, by his family. "In my family, there are plenty of taxi drivers. In addition, my husband was doing part-time job. After his death, it took me resume towing business. And thereafter, I became interested in the profession of taxi driver, "says our interlocutor.

Towing

Waida has more than one string to his bow. In addition to the job as a taxi driver, she also runs a towing company. It therefore works 24/7. "I have to be available 24/7 for two businesses that I practice. To be able to manage both, I have to show a sense of organization, have a sense of contact for customer loyalty, have patience among others, "says Waida.

Besides, she needs to know to defuse potential conflicts with customers eager, drunken or aggressive ... something that is almost daily in his role as manager of the towing company. "Sometimes it is not obvious, but I cling. When my husband died in 1999, I had mouths to feed, I had no other choice. I joined the automotive world, learned to speak a certain way to be heard and respected me and today, nobody can walk all over me, "said Waida, determined and confident.

However, she concedes that her two professions do not leave him much time for his children. But she manages to juggle her professional duties and her role as mother, she takes very seriously.