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PE01856: Support the taxi trade

Transport

Petitioner: Pat Rafferty on behalf of Unite

Status:
Open

Closing Date for Online Petition: 24 March 2021

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to protect the future of the taxi trade by:

• providing financial support to taxi drivers;
• setting up a national stakeholder group with trade union driver representatives;
• reviewing low emission standards and implementation dates
 

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Terms & Conditions

Petition History:

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Comments (128)

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Terms & Conditions

As a taxi driver—

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your income?

Do you feel you have access to adequate financial support during this time?

What difficulties have you faced in trying to access financial support?

The SEISS covers profit but not fixed costs. Please give the taxi trade in particular Operators additional business support. Most only purchased Euro 6 vehicles to comply with GCC LEZ originally to be brought in 2020. The trade needs more support.

Susan Ritchie

14:45 on 10 Mar 2021

Taxi operators like myself have invested in Euro 6 vehicles as dictated by the Council to improve the environment. These vehicles range from £40-60 thousand pounds. To commit to the taxi business this is what is now required and is akin to having a mortgage which has to be paid within 5 years. As operators have more liabilities it follows that they have bigger costs. If you have more than one taxi operating, you can imagine an even bigger strain. As I myself run two taxis I understand this completely. I believe that operators require more help financially as they are doing their bit not only employing people who wish to drive a taxi but also doing their bit for the environment.

Gordon Macdonald

11:07 on 05 Mar 2021

During this time I have seen my income drop by 70% and need excerpt assistance to continue.

William Purnell

10:19 on 05 Mar 2021

The Taxi trade needs urgent help. Taxi owners and drivers are suffering financially and mentally with the lack of support from Scotgov.

Jacci Miller

10:19 on 05 Mar 2021

Please support taxi owner-operators, the cost of our Cab payments is unsustainable in the current lockdown situation.

Kevin aitken

10:17 on 05 Mar 2021

Even before the Coronavirus crisis, the TAXI trade as a whole was increasingly under pressure. This was due to the high number of PHC (private hire companies) mainly UBER who have had a devastating effect on the TAXI Trade. People have to recognise that running costs for TAXIS are far higher than that of a car. Covid has just wiped some businesses out and will continue to do so.

Darren Smith

10:12 on 05 Mar 2021

PH trade needs supportive MSP with hands on experience, new leaders and strategic direction to fight over-regulation.

mark whittet

10:00 on 05 Mar 2021

As a taxi operators I was forced by the council to purchase a new taxi in 2019 due to the emissions ruling. This has meant that I have payments of £500 every month. On top of this I have my normal expenditures, of which when all added up will equal around £1200 per month. I was asked by the government in May to only work if 100% necessary. I have 2 elderly aunt's who stay at home alone, and I was the only person around that could help them, therefore I also decided for their health that I would do there weekly shopping so had to keep clear of the virus and not work. When things got better at the end of July they decided it was ok to go to the shops again, so I went out to work again. The government have given all taxi drivers 76.66% of 9 months salary (based on the last 3 years). Unfortunately this has meant that my driver has not needed to work at all this year as he has no expenditures and his outgoings have drastically decreased, leaving me with just 76.6% of my previous years average salary after expenditures. With this I still have around £1200 per month expenditure to pay out. I have received an extra £1500 on top from the Scottish government, however even with this I still have to earn money to pay of my business bills before I start to earn money for myself. The fact is, the government had enabled my drivers to sit at home whilst the owners of the taxi that they drive have been left to fall into debt and possibly lose the business, therefore the rental driver will not have a job to go back to after having an easy year off. My income has drastically decreased when out working. I average around 5 to 6 jobs a day of 10 hours, and often make just £5 per hour on average before paying for fuel. This is unacceptable according to the government minimum wage. Having worked hard since August I am expecting to earn around £6000 after expenditures. With this I have to pay all my household bills, of which council tax and electricity is over half of this.

David Glasgow

9:26 on 05 Mar 2021

We taxi owners were misinformed about low emissions. The cost of the taxi is like a mortgage. We must get a separate grant.

Abderrahmane Chergui

17:09 on 04 Mar 2021

As a taxi operator, I need assistance to maintain a high standard of vehicle on the road

Colin Farrer

14:22 on 03 Mar 2021

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