Driving services offer their help
Two New Plymouth personalised driving services say they have taken a big hit as a result of the alert level-4 lockdown, despite being deemed essential services.
Freedom Companion Driving and Driving Miss Daisy have both seen sharp falls in the number of clients using them for medical appointments and supermarket deliveries.
Both qualify for the government’s wage subsidy for staff but face serious challenges to keep running, with insurance and fuel costs to pay.
Driving Miss Daisy franchise owner Mel Henshilwood said business had dramatically tapered off since the lockdown was imposed at 11.59pm on March 25. She was not charging clients, but instead asking for a contribution.
‘‘We are allowed to do medical visits to GPs and to the hospital, and we’ve taking clients to get flu jabs,’’ she said.
The service also been picking up groceries for clients not able to leave their house, she said.
‘‘Overall it’s been super quiet but we’re still available.’’
The service is not available to visit a friend if they were not in the same bubble, or sightseeing day trips.
Henshilwood recently picked a client up from Awakino and drove them to the pharmacy in Waitara, to the supermarket in Urenui, and to the blood laboratory in Bell Block, she said.
Later in the day she helped a client in Pungarehu with their needs.
‘‘I feel very lucky to be able to get out and drive and not feel locked down myself,’’ she said.
Freedom Companion Driving coowner Diane de Jong said the business was struggling with the downturn in requests. ‘‘It’s gone dead. We’re only allowed to do essential work and no social trips,’’ she said.
‘‘People like to use us for supermarket shopping instead of on-line deliveries, because they have a better rapport with us.’’