Tuesday 28 December 2021

 TAXI drivers in Glasgow will protest in the city centre this week due to being 'left behind' by the government.

Drivers of private hire and taxis will 'sit in' around George Square on December 29 as restrictions come back into force in Scotland.

The demonstration will be operated by the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) and will start from around 10am following a short convoy starting in Townhead.

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19810897.glasgow-taxi-drivers-stage-sit-in-protest-bid-support-pandemic/

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TAMESIDE

This is the unbelievable moment a taxi driver was seen walking along a Greater Manchester motorway.

Police spotted the driver avoiding traffic on the M67 motorway in Tameside.

After being clocked risking his life by walking along the road, officers stopped to find out what was going on.

And they were left in disbelief by the taxi driver's 'stupidity' as they discovered the reason why he had been on his feet along the carriageway.

The driver explained that he had been trying to retrieve the magnetic sign from his taxi, which had ended up at the central reservation.

It was as he was on his way to pick it up that police saw him trying to pull off the dangerous move, while other vehicles were using the motorway.

Officers issued the taxi driver with a traffic offence report.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ridiculous-reason-taxi-driver-risks-22581100

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IPSWICH.

Taxi drivers and firms have said the industry needs urgent support for those facing financial hardship.

Tighter Covid restrictions and fears about the Omicron variant have meant a sharp drop in trade for many firms.

Ian Fountain, of Cab Smart in Ipswich, said: "Independent cab companies need to remain and flourish but at the moment [they are] not and won't if we don't get the support that's needed."

The Treasury said a range of support measures were already in place.

Cab Smart said the number of its vehicles working each day had fallen from 88 before the pandemic to just 10.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-59764039

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BOLTON

NEW controversial Clean Air Zone costs have led to fears that taxi drivers in Bolton could be driven off the roads.

Now bosses at some of the town's biggest taxi firms are calling for more financial support ahead of new licensing standards that could mean their drivers having to buy newer cars.

It comes as discussions are expected to take place in January to decide if taxi organisations across Greater Manchester have to purchase a car no older than five years – to avoid a charge.

If the licensing standards are agreed, they would apply to taxi services from May, 2023.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/19810517.bolton-taxi-bosses-call-support-change-vehicles-light-clean-air-zone/