Coventry taxi drivers struggling amid ongoing rail strikes

Taxi drivers in the city said their earnings are taking a hit because the rail strikes mean fewer pick-ups at stations.

Earnings aren't even covering the cost of fuel for some cabbies.
Author: Molly HookingsPublished 6th Jan 2023

We have spoken to private hire and local cabbies in the city who said their businesses are struggling in the wake of so many rail strikes.

They said a lot of their custom comes from picking up travellers at train stations.

Today is the fourth of five consecutive days of travel disruption as thousands of workers walk out in a dispute over pay, jobs, and conditions.

One man told us: "If there is no train, you're not going to have a job, then. Sometimes you have to wait two hours for a job, or sometimes, especially in the morning, thee hours."

Another added: "Yesterday, I just did two jobs. It's not going to cover the cost of the fuel."

Despite the impacts on his trade, he added that he is supportive of the strikes in general: "It's impacting us, but, of course, I support them. The electricity bill, everything is going up in this country. How will these people make a living?"

Today's walk out will last until tomorrow as members of the RMT union at Network Rail and 14 train operators walk out.

It follows a stoppage yesterday (5 January) by train drivers in the Aslef union, which caused widespread disruption.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan has warned it is "inevitable" that further strikes would be held unless the deadlock was broken.

He suggested strikes could escalate, saying train drivers wanted to go "harder and faster" after years of not receiving a pay rise.

Talks are expected to be held early next week, but unions continue to accuse the Government of blocking a deal.

Ministers deny they are interfering in negotiations.