SHRINKING PROFIT: Glasgow Airport taxi drivers face SQUEEZE as tariffs freeze and airport fees rise

Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow Airport have been accused of squeezing licensed taxi drivers further, with many drivers of the white taxi struggling to make ends meet due to shrinking profit margins.

According to one locally licensed taxi driver who contacted TaxiPoint, they are left with just £2.30 for a local hire fare of £10, after deducting airport fees, insurance, maintenance, and fuel costs. The driver claims that the recent increase of airport pick-up and drop-off fees from £4 to £5, approved by Renfrewshire Council, has made their situation even worse.

There are fears that taxi drivers are struggling to maintain their livelihood, with some being pushed out of business as a result of rising fees and operating costs. Despite the rising costs, Renfrewshire Council are yet to consider a meter increase to help offset the costs incurred by drivers. Meanwhile, nearby Glasgow City Council has already implemented a 19% increase to support its taxi drivers through the cost of living crisis.

Taxi drivers picking up at Glasgow Airport are asking the public to understand their plight. Many have had to replace their cabs with new and more expensive LEZ (Low Emission Zone) compliant models, and are also required to maintain wheelchair-approved vehicles, which comes with an additional estimated cost of £10,000.