Taxi shortage fears grow due to lack of drivers across city

Glasgow taxi companies say they are concerned about the current numbers of drivers in the city ahead of COP26 and the festive period.

A shortage in cabbies is causing issues for many people in the city – particularly late at night.

In recent months, trying to get a taxi in the area has become increasingly difficult due to the lack of cars on duty.

A lot of drivers have retired and many changed career during the coronavirus lockdown. However there are also concerns that the rising costs of operating a taxi are putting people off.

Dougie McPherson, chairman of Glasgow Taxis Limited, told STV News: “We are enduring the perfect storm at present but this has been ongoing for a couple of years.

“The age of the taxi trade is aging a huge part in this.

“We have been flagging this up to Glasgow City Council for a couple of years looking for any means we can to recruit and streamline the processes for bringing people into the taxi trade.”

Mr McPherson added: “There are major concerns for COP26 and further down the line Christmas is going to be a major problem.

“We’ll do all we can, we’ll keep dispatching taxis, we’ll put public safety at the forefront of everything that we do.

“We’d ask that people anticipate that there may be a wait, explore their options but they’ve got to be alive to the fact the normal supply of taxis is currently diminished simply due to numbers.

“As is the case with bus drivers, lorry drivers and other means of transport.”

Glasgow City Council had no one available for an interview but say they are in talks with the trade.