Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly new here in our brave new world, but more of these half screens


Taxi company finds new ways to get customers back in its cabs

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/not ... ys-4169832

'People might be less afraid now to ring a taxi.'


Image: Nottingham Post/Marie Wilson

A taxi company has come up with a new way to save the trade after a massive drop in custom due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Southside Cars based in Clifton said they are "a lifeline" for elderly people but many were fearful to ride in their cars when the infection started to spread across Nottinghamshire.

Trade fell by around 70 percent and the company also lost around 50 percent of its fleet as drivers were self-isolating or afraid to drive their own cabs.

But with restrictions being lifted, the taxi company has placed plastic screens between the driver and the customer in 30 vehicles to protect both from infection.

Firm bosses are also educating their driving squad to wipe down seat belts and door handles to ensure customers are safe to ride in their cabs.

Brent Foster, 32, one of the directors of the Clifton company, told Nottinghamshire Live: "I think there was a worry.

"If people were not going out they were not going to get cab journeys.


Image: Nottingham Post/Marie Wilson

"A lot of elderly people get taxis and they were self-isolating.

"We are elderly people's lifeline but they were afraid to travel outdoors.

"The schools being closed and the party goers and young people had a massive impact.

"We went down by 50 percent of the fleet."

But he hopes the new measures will bring people back to the taxi trade as retail shops are set to open from June 15.

"We are using a screen, it is a flexible plastic, it can't be ripped and it can be wiped down," he added.


Image: Nottingham Post/Marie Wilson

"We have equipped drivers with medical wipes to kill bacteria.

"It is a guard to protect the driver and the customers. We care about our drivers. We are like a big family.

"We are the first to trial out these screens. It is about staying current and taking action and making sure people feel safe. There is a lot of uncertainty."

Michal Tomczyk, 39, who is one of the drivers testing the screen, said: "I think it is amazing. It feels safer. We keep the car clean and are more strict about everything.

"People might be less afraid now to ring a taxi."

So what precisely is everyone using to wipe down seats and door handles etc?

Asda antibacterial wipes.

Pound for 80.

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IDFIMH

Spit and a Hanky!...

Dettol spray.

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Grandad,

superdrug antibacterial wipes but a few of my drivers are using huggies baby wipes

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I notice those screens have gaps in them for cable ties so a lot of holes and areas which might be very hard to clean

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Haha, I remember being in Tesco early in lockdown, during the panic buying thing, and I saw this huge shelf full of wipes that looked as if was new stock that had just came in. Looked really cheap, so thought I'd better buy some of those.

Didn't realise Fred & Flo were babies

Still quite useful though, and good value, but they're not actually anti-bacterial, so don't know if they'd be much use for wiping down door handles etc.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/p ... /301513722

So would some form of standard car cleaner or spray be any good for wiping down?

I mean, ordinary soap and water seems to be adequate for handwashing - it doesn't need to be anti-bacterial.

So the Fred & Flo wipes might do some good after all?

I also have some waitrose anti bacterial spray but that was quite awkward to use compared to wipes


I noticed that the car in the picture was parked on the tramlines assuming the trams are still running I wonder if the taxis often get in the way because blocking the tram lines is taken quite seriously in nottingham

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector