Fear keeps Bhutan’s female taxi drivers off the road at night

2026-02-20 - 07:45

As night falls and streets grow quieter, many of Bhutan’s female taxi drivers choose to log off and head home, not because there is no business, but because of fear. While ride requests often increase during the evening hours, particularly in urban centers such as Thimphu, women behind the wheel say safety concerns prevent them from operating at night. The result is a reduced earning window and limited participation in one of the country’s most visible service sectors. The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) registered a rape case in 2025 in which the victim was a female taxi driver. Police sources said details cannot be disclosed as the victim has requested confidentiality. However, sources confirmed that the incident occurred at night after the driver had dropped a passenger at the destination. As per the data from the Bhutan Taxi Association (BTA), it shows that as of 17th February 2026, it has 2,156 registered members, of whom only 86 are women. The association clarified that its records do not represent the total number of taxi drivers in the country, as registration with the association is voluntary. Taxi driving offers flexible working hours and relatively steady daily cash income, making it an attractive option for women seeking economic independence. However, several female drivers say that after dark, the risks outweigh the benefits. Night shifts can involve transporting intoxicated passengers and travelling to isolated areas. In such situations, drivers say they feel vulnerable. Dil Kumari Gurung, 34, said that she has been in the taxi business for over a year but has never operated at night due to safety concerns. “Money is important, but my safety is more important. There are high chances of encountering intoxicated passengers, which is more dangerous for female drivers compared to male drivers.” She usually operates only until 9 pm before heading home. She shared that she chose taxi driving because of its flexible hours, which are especially important as she is a kidney patient undergoing dialysis twice a week. “Previously while working for a private company, I was diagnosed with kidney failure. After that I left the job because it was very difficult to work having to visit the dialysis unit twice a week. Currently, I am saving money for a kidney transplant.” Even when she operates in the evening, she avoids ferrying intoxicated passengers and prefers using highway routes. Another female driver, 43, who has been driving for eight months, said she was drawn to taxi service because it allows immediate income generation, unlike her previous small home-based business that largely functioned on credit. She too operates only until around 9 pm. She recalled an incident that reinforced her decision to avoid late-night duty. Around 11 pm one night, after dropping passengers in Dechencholing, she picked up two young men who appeared to be heading toward town. However, they later asked to be dropped at Babesa Zero Point. Upon arrival, she found the two passengers asleep. When she woke them, they said they wanted to go further to Namseling. She said that she refused, saying it was too late. When she asked for the fare of Nu 50 each, the men said they had no money and refused to get out of the vehicle. Fearing for her safety, she warned them she would call the police. After repeated warnings, the two eventually left without paying. “I felt pity for them because they were standing in the cold and reminded me of my own child. But after that incident, I never stop for male passengers alone at night.” She added that several other female drivers have shared similar experiences. She also noted the financial trade-off. On nights when she operated late, she could earn around Nu 4,500 in a day. By stopping at 9 pm, her earnings are usually around Nu 2,000. For Chador Wangmo, who has been a taxi driver for seven years, the situation is similar. She said she has never operated beyond 9 pm out of concern for her safety. Furthermore, a 30-year-old female driver shared that the inability to operate during night hours has direct financial implications. She said that evenings and weekends are often peak earning periods, especially around entertainment hubs and commercial zones. “By limiting our working hours, female drivers effectively reduce the daily income potential. Over time, this affects the overall earnings and competitiveness within the sector,” she added. Some drivers say they prefer to take only known or regular customers after dark, but this is not always feasible. Regarding safety concerns, the Bhutan Taxi Association said it is planning a pilot project to install CCTV cameras in vehicles of female taxi drivers. The association also intends to initiate women-specific groups based on locations to enable members to access help more easily during emergencies. Without safety guarantees and institutional support, many female taxi drivers will continue to leave the roads before dark as they do not feel adequately protected.