STAY SAFE WITH
GLASGOWPRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS FURIOUS AFTER PLAN TO INSTALL SCREENS IN CARS IS BLOCKED
Private hire drivers in Glasgow are furi- ous after being denied permission to install screens in cars - despite their occupation having one of the highest death rates from coronavirus. According to the Glasgow Times, many NHS workers are using cabs to get to work to avoid using public trans- port - and in Scotland so far six cabbies have died from the virus, according to the
union United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD). Of those, three deaths have oc- curred in Glasgow - but the local author- ity has denied re- quests to allow taxi drivers to install pro- tective screens, citing health and safety fears. UPHD Glasgow chair Barry Sloan said: “In this epi- demic, everyone is unsure what the best course of action is regarding safety. We turned to Glasgow City Coun-
cil for guidance to be fobbed off and told no screens allowed. “We stated that member drivers are catching Covid-19 and unfortunately some have passed away from the virus. “We’ve insisted that the screen partitions must be allowed to safeguard our lives, which the council have simply brushed off, saying they are not properly tested and can impact on other safety aspects like air bags not
being deployed properly. “They also stated there is no proof screens will help reduce transmission of the virus. “UPHD responded with evidence of test studies on pro- tective screens and a Liverpool minicab firm which installed screens in their vehi- cles. Sadly, this has pushed many dri- vers into making their own makeshift screens for protec- tion. “I am increasingly
concerned for drivers’ safety.” A council spokes- man said: “We fully understand the anx- iety felt when working in close proximity to mem- bers of the public during the Covid-19 crisis. At this stage, no-one can confirm whether screens do restrict the spread of the virus and we have other concerns about the safety implications of such temporary modifica- tions to vehicles. “We have written to
the Scottish Govern- ment to seek clari- fication on how licensed hire vehi- cles should operate during these chal- lenging times.” A Scottish Govern- ment spokesman said: “We are taking the issues with taxis very seriously and are reviewing the published guidance to ensure the spread of the virus is con- tained while balanc- ing the needs of NHS staff to get to work, many of whom use taxis.”
BRADFORD TAXI DRIVERS ASK FOR HELP TO PAY FOR SCREENS TO PROTECT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS
Taxi drivers are call- ing on Bradford Council to follow Leeds City Council and help pay for protective screens in their vehicles dur- ing the coronavirus pandemic. The Telegraph and Argus reports that The Better Taxi Action Group has written to Bradford Council to ask for help as its members cannot afford to pay the £300 it costs to fit the screens. Spokesman Asif Shah said: “It’s posi- tive that Leeds has taken a lead in pay- ing half of the cost of screens. A screen cuts down on possi- ble transmission and is also easier to clean than fabric after every trip.
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“I’ve spoken to a lot of drivers and it would be a lot easi- er for the driver and passenger.” He said Shipley Cen- tral had taken a lot of staff and patients to local hospitals and so far he was unaware of any taxi drivers in the city contracting Covid- 19. He said all Shipley Central’s drivers who had been sent to the testing station in the car park at the Uni- versity of Bradford had so far been test- ed negative. However, Mr Shah said drivers fre- quently leave their vehicles and interact with different peo- ple and protective screens would help with safety as they
Asif Shah who is calling for protective screens in taxis
or a passenger might be carrying the virus without showing any symp- toms. He said: “We would look at some sort of contribution or loan. £300 is a significant amount and drivers are thinking twice about safety. “A lot have chosen
to stay at home. Some are looking at it but they are not making enough money to pay for it.” In the letter to Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe, BTAG says: “Given the government’s commitment to sup- port key workers, the taxi trade in
Bradford would like to kindly request that some sort of funding or support is made available to help assist drivers fit protection screens in their vehicles. “The average cost at the moment is around £300. The vast majority of PHVs are driver owned. These dri- vers are already under
extreme
financial pressure with reduced pas- sengers and having been off work self isolating. “Not only will shields help protect drivers, they will also help reduce the risk to the public from drivers who are in daily contact with many. “Could we also rec-
ommend that taxi services are pro- moted as an alternative to buses to help maintain social distancing. Taxi fares have gen- erally not increased in the last 15 years and start from as lit- tle as £2.50. Many firms are also offer- ing deals discounts for key workers.” A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “We have received this letter requesting funding for taxi driver pro- tection screens and we will be consider- ing a response in the next few days. We believe that all workers facing extra risks from Coron- avirus should be adequately protect- ed.”
JUNE 2020
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