Bradford Council announce funding for taxi drivers to install flexible screens to combat COVID-19

Taxi drivers and their passengers in Bradford will be able to travel in a level of increased confidence after the council announced new safety equipment funding.

Bradford Council is to provide the funds for taxi drivers to set up clear flexible screens for use in each vehicle as well as 10 facemasks and two bottles of sanitising gel per vehicle in an initiative costing £233,000.

The equipment will be available from a private contractor. Bradford Council’s Licencing Service will contact the taxi and private hire operators to arrange collection of the hand sanitisers, facemasks and how best to order and supply screens for their vehicles.

Bradford Council is also strongly recommending that all passengers in all hackney carriage and private hire vehicles wear face masks.

The PVC screens, which should be wiped clean between each journey, are installed using a simple strap and slide buckle system that attaches to either the handles above the doors or the door columns.

They can provide up to 90 per cent coverage of the space between the driver and rear seat passenger. Drivers fitting them will need to reassure themselves that the screens comply with the conditions set by their insurance provider.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “Bradford taxi drivers provide a brilliant service for the people of Bradford district and beyond.

“In spite of these challenging times they have continued to deliver a first class service and we want to thank them for that. What’s important now, as the economy starts to open up and more people start to use taxis, is that we want to make sure the public and drivers alike are safe which is why we are providing this protection for them at no cost to themselves.

“Council staff have worked hard to source suitable screens and the first supplies are coming in a week’s time.

“All taxi operators are being written to and asked to confirm the number of screens they will require for their drivers. We will then work to fulfil those orders as quickly as possible along with the hand sanitiser and the facemasks.”

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are trying to make sure that people in the district can get back to their normal lives without having to run increased risks to their health.

“Private hire drivers provide an essential service for the people of this district and they deserve as much protection as other workers in public transport.

“By helping to keep the drivers safe we are also helping to keep the public safe at the same time which is an absolute priority for the Council.”

Image credit: Richard Amos