BELFAST taxi firm Value Cabs has said it is planning to restore the number of cars it has on the road by introducing new control measures.
The company, which has around 800 drivers in its fleet, dropped to just 100 in the first month of the coronavirus lockdown. It has slowly increased the number to around 180.
While it continues to fulfil contracts with the health service, other major corporate contracts with hotels, bars, restaurants and Belfast City Airport, remain on hold.
The taxi business is among a series of firms from the north to tap into the UK Government backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to survive the hit to its cashflow.
Value Cabs’ drivers operate on a self-employed basis, paying rent to the firm.
Fees were initially waived for a month, with a reduced rent in place for drivers still working. It said drivers who are not working will not pay rent.
Managing director Christopher McCausland said social distancing measures are being put in place to help increase the number of taxis that can operate when the government begins easing the lockdown.
Screens between drivers and passengers have been installed in 100 taxis so far, with bookings restricted to two back seat passenger.. Cars are also being cleaned between journeys.
“We’re doing what we can to get ready for an extended period of social distancing, but we need to see the city get back to being open and to get tourists back into the city as soon as possible,” said Mr McCausland.
“A lot of the growth in Belfast’s economy in the last 5 or 6 years has been from tourism, which has helped drive business for hotels, restaurants and hospitality.”
The taxi firm boss, who is also senior vice president of Belfast Chamber, said businesses who are eligible for government-backed support should look into the schemes as soon as possible.
“We want to see as many businesses take up the schemes as possible in order to come through this. These loans are providing assistance to keep businesses alive.
“Danske came to us at the start of the crisis and told us they were behind us and would step in to help. True to their word the process of getting this loan went very smoothly,” he said.
Brian Shane, corporate banking manager at Danske Bank, said: “Value Cabs is one of the best-known brands in Northern Ireland and while lockdown has obviously affected the company’s business, we were pleased to be able to support them through this difficult period.
“The company’s aim is to be ready to go again as the phased lifting of lockdown begins and it is very encouraging to see Christopher and his team putting in appropriate social distancing measures to ensure that can happen.”
