TaxiPoint November 2020 Edition 19

Page 6

FLEET OWNERS

November 2020 | www.taxi-point.co.uk | 6

Image credit: Ross Campbell

THE COVID PROBLEMS FACING TAXI FLEET OWNERS As a full time taxi driver, I know first-hand the difficulties the trade is currently facing since the coronavirus pandemic washed over the industry, wiping away tourism, hospitality, and everyday travel as a whole.

of a taxi rental business which has been operating for 15 years, who has given us an in-depth look into what it’s been like to own a large fleet of cabs during these testing times.

Ben Waine of Elite Taxis in Essex said: “Like many Front line drivers have struggled on a day-to-day basis people around the UK we suppose, when the to find enough fares to even cover their overheads. Government initially announced that the spread of the But what about parts of the taxi industry which sit in coronavirus had hit global pandemic levels, they really the background, such as fleet owners? had no idea of the magnitude effect it would have on them as a business.” These companies have committed to purchasing dozens, if not hundreds of taxis, to maintain and rent As a fleet owner of almost 100 cabs, Ben told us that out to drivers who choose to avoid the overall financial during the period between the global pandemic being commitment of purchasing a vehicle of their own. announced and the first hard lockdown, 95% of the Rental drivers and rental fleets go hand-in-hand. They cabs they rented out to drivers had been returned. cannot function without one another. So, if drivers are The fear of the virus, coupled with expectations that work levels would rapidly drop had sent drivers into unable to warrant time in a cab, then cabs sit empty panic, causing them to off-load all expenses and run on forecourts up and down the UK. How has this for cover. Within the first week of lockdown, the fleet directly impacted the fleet owners? had seen all cabs returned to base. TaxiPoint has spoken exclusively to one of the owners Finding a place for the cabs to be held was the first


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