Third of taxi drivers have quit in two years
AN ESTIMATED 50 taxi drivers out of around 150 have left the industry in the last two years, putting those still driving under tremendous strain, Guernsey Taxi Owners’ Federation president Leon Gallienne has said.
This exodus means islanders are often unable to get a taxi, unless booked in advance.
The States committee which regulates the industry, Environment & Infrastructure, is looking at ways it can help.
This has been welcomed by Mr Gallienne.
E&I president Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said: ‘We’re really aware of the significant impact that the pandemic has had on the taxi and private hire industry and the knock-on effects that is having on their customers.
‘We have started the process to carry out an independent review of the industry, and how it’s regulated, with the ultimate aim of making the system work better for customers and service
providers alike,' she said.
‘Affordability, availability, reliability, quality, accessibility, environmental impact and driver and customer safety are all within the scope of the review.
‘It will lead to recommendations on how the industry can be most appropriately regulated in a way that supports market development in this important public transport sector,' she said.
Mr Gallienne said in March 2020 that there were about 150 full-time taxi drivers, including plate owners and employees, with part-timers taking that number higher.
He has witnessed a considerable decrease in the number of drivers.
‘Unfortunately a few of our drivers passed away during the Covid-era’, he said.
‘Others who were due to retire decided that now was a good a time as any to take retirement, so we have lost a few drivers to that as well.’
He added that he has been having difficulty recruiting new drivers.
‘In the summer before Covid, we knew that we needed to recruit about 50 taxi drivers to keep up with demand. These did not materialise and, since then, we have lost around another 50.’
‘Covid has enhanced this issue, as well as Brexit. Workers are scarce and the taxi industry is not immune to this.’
Since Guernsey borders reopened on 1 July, the pressure on the industry has grown.
Mr Gallienne reported that a surge in weddings has also generated considerable business on Friday and Saturday nights which puts the taxi ranks under further strain.
‘There is a shortage of taxi drivers rather than a shortage of taxis’, said Simon Rebstein, director of Island Taxis Ltd.
‘This had been an issue pre-Covid and has not improved since.’
‘I am finding it very difficult to recruit new drivers.’
Mr Rebstein added that the federation’s committee is in dialogue with E&I to try to rectify the problem.
