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17
Nov 2021
Harrogate district taxi driver shortage revealed due to covid
There has been a drop in the number of taxis on the Harrogate district's roads in what drivers have blamed on the pandemic forcing them to abandon the trade.
Several cabbies quit during the lockdowns and many have now found new jobs with little desire to return as figures suggest around 60 fewer drivers are operating in the district.
Richard Fieldman, who runs A1 Cars Ripon, said his business only survived the pandemic by the “skin of its teeth” and that it has now continued to struggle.
He said:
With fewer drivers on the roads, it has also had an impact on customers who could be left waiting on taxi ranks or unable to book journeys during busy periods.
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Kevin O’Boyle, owner of Central Taxis and the longest holder of a taxi licence in the district, said he believes the lengthy process that it takes to become a driver could be a reason why he is now finding it “impossible” to recruit them.
He said:
Taxi licence fees frozen
The figures that around 60 fewer taxis are on the roads was revealed in a Harrogate Borough Council report, which has proposed no increase for taxi licence fees for the second year running.
Prior to this period, the council increased fees by 10% during 2020/21.
Mr O’Boyle said the proposed freeze for the next financial year would be “greatly appreciated” if approved by the council’s licensing committee on Wednesday, but added it only went so far to support the trade.
The report to the committee said:
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