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TALKING TAXIS: Glasgow taxi drivers launch podcast to discuss mounting trade challenges
Glasgow’s taxi drivers have taken to the airwaves with a new podcast series, “Talking Taxis”, offering insights into the pressing issues within their industry.
Hosted by Glasgow Taxis Ltd, the series aims to shed light on the growing challenges and interesting personalities that populate the city’s taxi trade community.
The podcast's debut season is slated for six episodes, tackling a range of topics from recruitment struggles to the debate between cash and card payments, the issue of overcharging, and the annual children’s trip to Troon.
In the opening episode, now available to listeners, drivers David Farrell, John Lundie and Dougie McPherson, who doubles as the chairman of Glasgow Taxis Ltd, delve into the complexities of the city’s Low Emissions Zone (LEZ). They discuss the LEZ's implementation, its implications for the trade, and what the future holds for drivers navigating these changes.
The 54-minute discussion can be accessed at no cost on several major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Deezer.
Dougie McPherson, Glasgow Taxis Limited chairman, said: “Talking Taxis has been introduced at a time when the taxi trade in Glasgow is facing challenges unlike ever before. Drivers, and the trade in general, can often feel their voices aren’t heard so we took it upon ourselves to find a new way to get our message out there and, when it comes to the important issues, to make sure we don’t miss.
“The pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis and wider economic pressures would have been plenty to deal with at any given time, but throw into the mix the LEZ requirements and deadlines and it’s the most imperfect storm that just won’t go away. That’s why we made LEZ the topic for our first episode – and we hope the city is listening.
“Glasgow Taxi drivers have never been short of opinions. We all also have a genuine love for the city we operate in, the drivers I know care deeply for Glasgow and want the best for it. We hope that comes across in Talking Taxis and we hope our voices can be added to the conversations required to help Glasgow punch above its weight again and soon.”
