Taxi Driver Online

Liverpool taxi drivers having to work longer hours to make a living


New research shows both Hackney and private hire drivers in the city have had to increase their working hours over the last three years

Taxi drivers in Liverpool are working harder than ever just to make ends meet, a new study reveals.

The research shows Hackney and private hire drivers in the city , including those working for Uber, travel 27,485 miles a year and take an average of 95 fares a week – up 35 fares since similar research carried out in 2013.

The survey of more than 1,000 drivers across the UK, including Liverpool, was commissioned by taxi insurance broker insureTAXI.

Longer hours

More than a third of respondents in Liverpool said they have increased their working hours over the last three years, with 45% citing increased competition as the reason for clocking up more time on the road.

Half of drivers in Liverpool said they’re working longer hours to make ends meet at home.

In an average week, taxi drivers in Liverpool are now working 43 hours and earning £316, making the average hourly rate £7.35 – £0.65 above the current national minimum wage.

On top of this, the research revealed they can expect an average tip of 68p for each fare. Considering the number of fares taxi drivers take on average a week, this means they could earn around £64.60 in tips each week.

Rising costs

But while the research paints a largely positive picture of taxi drivers’ earning potential, there are a number of costs that taxi drivers regularly incur.

On average, taxi drivers in Liverpool spend £100 a week on fuel, £91 a month on general vehicle maintenance and £1,901 a year on their taxi insurance – totalling an average of £8,193 of expenditure each year.

The rising cost of being a taxi driver is a concern for a number of taxi drivers in Liverpool, with 35% stating it’s the biggest threat to their profession.

And 28% think the increase in competition is the biggest threat, while 17% of non-Uber drivers think Uber is the biggest threat.

Increasing demands

“Speaking to over 1,000 taxi drivers has given us a real insight into the demands and challenges faced by our customers,” explained Tim Crighton, marketing director of insureTAXI. “Taxi drivers are having to work longer hours in order to combat the increase in competition and changes in consumers’ lifestyles.

“What’s more, the associated costs of being a taxi driver is a real concern to some – especially when they feel that there isn’t as much business available as there was a few years ago.”

source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/bus ... k-11767868

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

the price of uberisation ? or deltaisation ?

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

Or just a load of old bollocks?

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IDFIMH

If I'm reading this right there taking 50% more fares but earning less money

Indeed, reads like a Liverpool cabby's tax return.

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IDFIMH

Allegedly

personally i wonder if this maybe has more to do with benefits claims they have to prove their incomes dropped somehow what better than a report in the paper saying their all hard up

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