London cabbies seeking new ways to help the most needed and cover expenses during COVID-19 pandemic

London’s taxi drivers are seeking new ways to help the most needed and cover their own expenses during the coronavirus crisis.

The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) have contacted three major taxi booking firms, Freenow, Gett and Comcab, to discuss whether the industry could function in another form whilst the work levels remain low.

Ideas put forward could see drivers accepting short-term contracts in other sectors to help meet demand during the crisis. Other sectors being discussed include the possibility of working for delivery companies, the NHS or bus and transport providers.

Taxi app firms Freenow and Gett have sent out questionnaires to drivers working on their platforms to gather feedback if alternative short-term arrangements could be found.

In an email to Freenow drivers, a spokesperson for the company wrote: “We have been thinking of different ways that we can help the community, ease the pressure on the NHS, emergency services and even delivery companies so we can get supplies to those in need.

“Now, we want to get your feedback so, together we can truly make a difference. Needless to say, we would not take commission on these jobs.”

According to the LTDA’s General Secretary, Steve McNamara, the coronavirus pandemic has "rendered over 20,000 self-employed cabbies in London essentially redundant".

Image credit: Mark Twyman