Bolton Council provides £700 grant to taxi vehicle owners struggling during pandemic

Taxi vehicle licence holders in Bolton will be handed a £700 COVID support grant as part of the council’s commitment to provide support where it is most needed. The council confirmed the new scheme will provide licence holders with the payment to help meet a range of vehicle-associated costs. Launching soon, the council will be making direct contact with those eligible for support through the scheme.

This latest initiative follows a number of meetings and discussions with the private hire and Hackney carriage trades and their representatives. The grant was welcomed by both taxi and private hire sectors in Bolton.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We would like to thank the taxi trade representatives for supporting the council in developing this financial package over the past few weeks.

“We know this will be very welcome and thank them for their commitment to assist the council to deliver the support over the coming months ahead.”

Charlie Oakes of the Hackney Drivers Association said: “The trade is going through hard times, we thank the council and staff for all their hard work and being upfront with us, the money will help.”

Yasif Khan of the Bolton Private Hire Association added: “We would like to thank the councillors and the licensing officers for the help they have given through this pandemic, the grant will be really helpful for the drivers at this difficult time.”