Glasgow taxi shortages are partly down to ‘WOEFUL’ support offered during pandemic says Unite union

Taxi driver shortages in Glasgow are partly down to the ‘woeful’ support offered by Scottish Government and the local authority during the pandemic, say union leaders as concerns over the late night safety of women mount.

Driver shortages have been prominent across Scotland, and the UK, as demand for the vital service returns after a horrific 18-months endured by the taxi industry.

Work levels dried up as coronavirus restrictions were put in place. This meant many drivers either retired from the industry or sought different employment instead.

Throughout the pandemic Unite Glasgow Cab Section union asked both Glasgow City Council and Scottish Government for financial support to help drivers through the period of low work levels.

Scotland’s Government were able to offer eligible cabbies two grants both worth £1,500 each during the pandemic.

Taxi drivers in Angus were offered an additional £2,500 in Discretionary Grants. Cabbies from Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Perth also received an extra £1,000 from their local authorities.

However, in Glasgow, no such discretionary payment was offered to taxi drivers struggling during the COVID restrictions.

Whilst replying to a BBC news article alleging the taxi shortages in the city could lead to women being harmed after a night out, a Unite Glasgow Cab Section spokesperson said: “Glasgow City Council and Scottish Government are partly to blame for the driver shortage.

“Pandemic support for the trade was woeful. A start would be to clear ranks of parked cars so drivers can serve the public.”

The spokesperson went on to add: “Drivers were working in a poorly paid industry pre-pandemic. Many have had enough.

“It is a legacy of over-provision of Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs), pure and simple. You reap what you sow.”

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