London's cabbies hope to fare better after Covid

  • 📰 YahooSG
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 73 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Qulity Score:
  • News: 32%
  • Publisher: 71%

'All I keep thinking is: I'm still here, I'm still driving the cab, my family's alright, let's keep going.'

Singapore Headlines News

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

As waves of coronavirus swept the country and lockdowns wrought havoc on his industry, the 53-year-old said the financial and mental anguish had "taken its toll".

However, Ivens -- one of 15 members of Black Taxi Tour London, a collective offering bespoke guided tours alongside regular rides -- has also sorely missed the social side of his work. Ivens believes business is back at around two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels, but notes that is barely sustainable.Steve McNamara, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association , said the industry is "hopeful" and can see "the green shoots"."Any slack's gone," he added. "And any slack's gone for Boris as well. If he tries to lock us down again, I think he's going to be looking for a different job.

"As and when things start to pick up eventually, and I think that'll be September... there's going to be a massive shortage of cabs, undoubtedly," McNamara added."They're coming back in dribs and drabs but the biggest concern for cab drivers is that people are only going to work two to three days," said 59-year-old Paul, a 20-year black taxi veteran.Another major ingredient still missing for black cab drivers' income is foreign visitors.

"London needs people from abroad -- this is an international city," he added, driving through the once-bustling district of Covent Garden. But after years of being undercut by cheaper ride-hailing apps such as Uber, and now hit by the pandemic, some fear for the future of London's black taxi industry.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 3. in SG
 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Supermarkets in Marsiling, Woodlands among places visited by Covid-19 cases while infectious: MOHBad breath 's, bad ass
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

1 Covid-19 case found from mass testing of Blocks 501 and 507 Hougang Ave 8SINGAPORE — One case of Covid-19 has been found after the completion of mass testing of residents and visitors at two blocks at Hougang Avenue 8, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Saturday (June 5).
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

New England's success against COVID-19 could be a modelNew England's success against COVID-19 could be a model 希望英国尽快恢复常态!
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

13 community infections, all linked to earlier cases, among 18 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

India posts daily rise of 120,529 new COVID-19 casesIndia reported on Saturday 120,529 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours, while deaths rose by 3,380.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Australia's Victoria reports five new COVID-19 casesMELBOURNE: Australia's second-most populous state Victoria on Saturday (Jun 5) reported a small increase in locally acquired COVID-19 cases as ... 45y 3..554⁴ŕ5.. .5..
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »