Taxi drivers get a lift with extra financial support
TAXI drivers in Calderdale are to receive more financial support from the council to help them through the impact of the Covid pandemic.
Calderdale Council’s Taxi Support Scheme begins next Monday, April 19, and will provide free licence renewals to local taxi firms for three years.
The council says taxi drivers are important frontline workers doing an important job amid the pandemic.
The new scheme means that every taxi driver who wants to renew their licence will be offered a free, three-year licence – plus the cost of their DBS check.
The funding will be provided from the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grant for businesses which are not eligible for the main Covid grants.
Zohrah Zancudi, Calderdale Council’s director of Public Services, said the scheme would help around 1,500 licensees.
“We are incredibly grateful to our local taxi drivers who, as key workers, have been on the frontline throughout the pandemic to keep Calderdale moving and help people to shop for essentials and get to appointments and Covid vaccination centres.
“We understand how tough the pandemic has been, and continues to be, for many taxi firms.
“We are doing all we can to support them.
“Through our new Taxi Support Scheme we will be able to help nearly 1,500 licensees,” she said.
Recognising the impact, many taxi firms in Calderdale have received 70 per cent of their turnover from their 2019 accounts, through a West Yorkshire agreed Covid grant scheme for self-employed people.
Any taxi driver who has already applied and paid for their renewal between November 5, 2020, and April 19, 2021, will either be refunded for the amount they have paid, or they will be offered a licence extension.
If taxi firms wish to only have a 12-month licence, they can still apply and will not have to pay for the 12 months or their DBS check.
To be eligible for the Taxi Support Scheme, licences must be renewed before March 15, 2022, before the Additional Restrictions Grant closing date of March 31, 2022, says the council.
The council has been working with local taxi drivers throughout the pandemic to help protect them as much as possible from the virus, including providing access to Covid testing, vaccinations, PPE and stickers for taxis advising passengers to wear a face covering.
The council also suspended the Compliance Test and is temporarily accepting a valid MOT certificate to renew licences.