Taxi drivers gearing up to expected rise in work as lockdown measures ease next week

Taxi drivers are gearing up to an expected rise in work levels next week as lockdown measures ease across the UK.

As of Monday 15 June many businesses will ease workers slowly back into original working environments side by side the reopening of retail shops.

Taxi booking apps and card payment providers have both recorded a slow increase in the number of journeys being made.

Businesses are expected to shift towards using black taxis due to the purpose built partitions and distance.

A spokesperson from taxi app Gett told drivers: “We are now working with our clients to support their return to the office. The team has held several virtual round tables with big clients to understand how they plan to get their workforces back into the office and what Gett can do to support that.

“Clients have told us that they feel safer travelling in black cabs. The partition, large vehicle and professionalism of the drivers give them extra reassurance.

“We expect to see demand steadily increase starting from this week. In fact, we have already been seeing an upward trend over the past few weeks.”

According to card payment solution provider CMT, the number of card transactions in taxis has been slowly rising. Whilst the percentage of payments is low compared to the same weeks in 2019, data does show an increase from 5.5% in May week 4 to 6.8% in June week one.