Nottingham's taxi drivers fear their business won't return for the 'rest of the year'
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'I'm worried that for six months I won't bring a single penny home.'
Image: Nottingham Post
Taxi drivers in Nottingham fear trade won't return to normal for the rest of the year.
Some of the city's Hackney cab drivers have said they have had to delay repayments on their cars while they come to terms with potentially 'not earning a single penny' for six months.
Despite also feeling worried about recent revelations suggesting ethnic minorities are at greater risk of death from Covid-19, one taxi driver of South-Asian background has said he still wants to help others at a time when people must "come together."
Others have added that their main concern is bringing the virus home to their wives or children.
Chander Sood, a taxi driver of 26 years in Nottingham, is 61 and lives in Wollaton.
He is secretary of the Nottingham City Hackney Carriage Owners & Drivers Association and said: "The last time I worked was most probably March 18. We haven't received any income in that time so it's been hard.
"In a way we've been on the frontline with the contact we've had to have with people and with the NHS staff we help out with lifts.
"Our repayments on the cars we brought on finance have been put on hold for three months which is a massive help, but in the long run we are paying more.
"I'm lucky because my wife and sons work so our house has still had some income. "
For Chander, his own health is less of a priority than his family's.
He said: "I think the majority of taxi drivers do not worry about their own health as much as their families. I just don't want to bring the virus home.
"My son is working towards his PhD and I wouldn't want to do anything to affect his future.
"It's been a hard time, like for any self-employed person, and it will take a while for things to go back to normal. I doubt it will be this year really."
Another taxi driver, Asif Maqsood, who is 43 and from Sneinton, is spokesperson for the Nottingham Taxi Drivers and Owner's Association.
He added: "It's a very difficult time right now. We only come out to do the free rides we are offering to NHS staff really and we've been doing that for 43 days now.
"I know a lot of colleagues who are struggling because we are self-employed. We are paying for our own petrol on free jobs too.
"It's so hard, the town is like a ghost town and after 7pm, there's basically no one out.
"I guess the vehicles are quite safe with the partition between passenger and driver but it is worrying to hear how Asian people are at greater risk it seems.
"It doesn't stop me helping others though, because we need to come together like that right now."
Vijay Sood, 71, a taxi driver of 19 years in Nottingham form Bramcote, said: "Our livelihoods have been messed up with all this. I haven't worked for six weeks now.
Image: Nottingham Post
"It's so risky to think how easily we could pick someone up with the virus and bring it home.
"Personally, I feel that if you have a good immune system, you can protect yourself from the virus regardless of your ethnic background. Speaking about the virus racially, I fear it divides people.
"It will be Christmas at the earliest when things are normal for us. I'm worried that for six months I won't bring a single penny home."
Those who are self-employed - like Hackney carriage drivers - can apply for financial support through HM Revenue and Customs' Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
Self-assessment tax returns dating back to 2018 must also be completed by applicants under guidelines.
The grant will consist of 80 percent of an individual's average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months, and capped at £7,500 altogether.
) leisure and hospitality venues could be open from July 4th, that in itself will breathe life into the night-time economy.
