‘Undervalued’ taxi drivers can transform industry

The comments come after a report found that islanders were not getting a good service and the poor taxi service was damaging businesses and tourism.

Environment & Infrastructure president Lindsay De Sausmarez said there was no silver bullet for the problems but was keen to work on finding solutions.

Mr Gallienne said the report was not a surprise to local drivers.

‘The review highlights everything we knew but didn’t want to believe and now with the detailed information we can work together to solve this,’ he said.

‘The drivers are the ammunition, and if we are given political support, financial support and the infrastructure required, the service can be transformed.’

A meeting has already taken place between Deputy De Sausmarez and the Taxi Federation following the review, with positive outcomes.

‘E&I have the capabilities to help us with immediate quick and easier fixes, such as the information desk at the airport, which opens up the communication lines,’ said Mr Gallienne.

‘The desk works well – there are waiting times but passengers at least know that the taxi is on its way.’

Mr Gallienne was always in support of the review and said the results have proved that there is a lot of work to be done. ‘What this report shows from an industry point of view is the taxi sector has been neglected for years,’ he said.

‘The importance is not recognised, the work is underrated and the everyday value is not realised.’

He said that there were no surprises in the ‘damning’ read, but the most important thing is solving the lack of taxi drivers.

Ideally the recruitment campaign would be local and if the board was to help create better working conditions then islanders could be more interested.

The taxi sector says it has been working above and beyond during the summer season and has been targeted for its lack of staff, but the problem has proven to be a much wider issue.

‘Throughout the season myself and other drivers have been picking up people from the west coast when they’ve been stranded after buses haven’t turned up,’ said Mr Gallienne.

‘This is a regular occurrence and happens at least two or three times a week and taxis is not the only industry with staff shortages – hotels, restaurants and building firms are just some of the many with staffing problems.

‘And it’s not just Guernsey, it’s a UK and Europe issue too.’

On Monday evening an Aurigny jet was struck by lightning and all available taxis went straight to the airport to transport stranded passengers.

‘Our taxi drivers do care, they do try, and they’re putting in 110% while working under difficult circumstances.

‘But we can’t do it on our own – taxi staff and the political board need to use this opportunity to help us to build a better service that we can be proud of.’