Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers are 'risking their lives for 27p' during Covid, say union reps

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... p-19712597

'We have been forgotten about and we're at risk of having our cars... even our homes repossessed'

Taxi and private hire drivers in Merseyside are “risking their lives for 27 pence a day”, according to union reps.

North West Taxi Association rep Trevor Jones says the service is the “forgotten trade” and that drivers should be entitled to similar financial Covid support as other business-owners.

Trevor said: “We are small business-owners, it’s just that our business is sat on our driveways rather than in a building.

“We have to pay rates and insurance and have other outgoings, same as anyone else.

“Drivers in Sefton have had a £100 grant since the pandemic began. That equates to around 27 pence per day.

“Those in Liverpool have had £210, which is still a pittance. Drivers in other parts of the country have had significantly more.”

Drivers in Bury are entitled to up to £677 per month in grant support, according to a tweet sent out by Bury North Labour this week.

Those in Sheffield have been given a one-off £500 grant.

According to a report in the Evening Standard, taxi drivers are among the groups at highest risk of dying from coronavirus.

Trevor continued: “We are putting our lives on the line for 27 pence a day. That is what our lives must be worth.

“Not to mention, drivers are now at risk of having their cars… even their homes, repossessed. It’s not right.”

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority says it continues to lobby for more financial support for drivers.

Their spokesman said: “We are acutely aware of the financial plight that taxi drivers in the city region and beyond are experiencing.

"The Combined Authority and our six local authorities have done what we can to support this important trade, establishing a fund of up to £1.5 million to help cover the costs of licences for taxi drivers resident in the Liverpool City Region.

“We said when we launched the fund that it was a gesture and that we needed government to step up and provide a much more comprehensive package of support for those affected by the pandemic but excluded from national support packages.

“We have continued to lobby for that substantial support and just this week the Metro Mayor has again written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport, calling on them to take action. ”

Yes that's me go on to radio merseyside at 16 04

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

lobby who ?

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

Certainly looks and sounds nice in the tweet:

But if you visit the website there's nothing specific for the trade, just the usual stuff about the Additional Restrictions Grant etc.

So when they say 'up to £677 per month in grant support', I suspect the words 'up to' are doing all the work.

Who knows, maybe they've yet to work out the precise details and put it all online, but somehow can't see many getting £677 per month.

Some of us will need a translator.

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IDFIMH

Easily enough found, but Mr T's clock maybe a bit slow - he's on at about 1607.

So because the show starts at 1400, go to about 2.07 into the recording

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p093sbkf

Apparently they're getting bundles in Carlisle

Quite right too

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Seen some of the comments below this article, pure sad and not worthy of the people of Merseyside, Liverpool isn't like that, my experience tells me once you make friends with a Scouser you have a friend for life (Trevor still says sorry about the wine Sussex).

The way Merseyside (and the North East) councils have treated licensed drivers is beneath contempt.

When we're through this sh*t, we will remember.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

https://www.change.org/p/sefton-council ... ons_browse

Your help would be appreciated maybe we can do the same for you one day Sign it and pass it on

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I suppose after listening to Roger Philips for the past 42 years well forgive you for your mistake!

We’ll!

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Dear Sirs/Madam,

I am writing on behalf of The Liverpool City Region Hackney Carriage Drivers Co-operative, in desperate plea for financial support to all our members, as you are no doubt aware the last eleven months have been somewhat tumultuous, the additional burden of multiple operators testing positive for COVID19, some sadly passing away with the virus, others isolating without any means of income, those fortunate enough not to have contracted the virus have continued to offer a limited service to the City Region population, you are no doubt aware the service we offer and continue to offer is in fact a local government statutory responsibility, sadly the cost of continuing to deliver our services is becoming extremely prohibitive against the need for enforcing lockdown ultimately restricting our ability to make our position financially viable, we have never sought operational subsidies as vast number of other public transport providers have, the employment opportunities and social benefits of offering subsidies to our profession are vast and should not be set aside.
We urge the leaders of the City Region to consider our position very carefully each and every one of us serve the communities you represent, often carrying the most vulnerable residents of our communities at great costs not only financially but putting our lives at risk mitigating wherever possible, fortunately the design of our vehicles offer protection from and for passengers and drivers, there is no doubt we will continue to play our part in keeping key workers moving to and from places of work, assisting elderly vulnerable residents to and from supermarkets, ensuring vulnerable children get to and from schools, we will play our part throughout these times we are asking that you do all you can to support our endeavours.

Kindest Regards

Mr Anthony Carr

Chair, Liverpool City Region Hackney Carriage Drivers Co-Operative

Tel:07773672406
Email: lcrhcdcoop@gmail.com
Knowsley Council license 4235.

Mr Derek Cummins
Unite NORTHWEST REGION/584 Wirral Taxi Branch
Branch Chair: Derek Cummins derek.cummins@aol.co.uk
Tel: 07825 222 867 Tel: 07931 712 274

Mr Trevor Jones
North West Taxi Association
Tel: +44 7368 619543
Email; trevorjones733@outlook.com

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!