As protests at oil terminals continue, an Essex taxi firm says they've been hit by fuel shortages
The owner says drivers have had to use premium instead of regular fuel
A taxi operator in Essex says they've been hit by fuel shortages, as protestors from Just Stop Oil continue to occupy oil terminals.
Waqas Hussein owns Happicabs, which operates in Chelmsford, Maldon South Wooden Ferrers and Witham.
He says both customers and drivers have been affected by the shortages, with his drivers having been forced to head to multiple petrol station to refill their cars in the last few weeks: "The recent fuel shortages have led to disruption in services, mainly due to our customers having to wait longer for our services.
"It's also affected our drivers. They've had to use premium fuel because their normal fuel wasn't available and have had to sit in lengthy queues to refill, meaning they're missing out on taking jobs, and therefore, revenue, as our drivers are self-employed."
Waqas continued, suggesting the fuel shortages and rising costs, due to inflation, are making it harder for drivers, and the business itself, to recover from covid losses: "We're doing our best to recover from the pandemic, which has had a massive impact on the taxi industry, and it's disruptions like this which make it a lot more difficult."
It's been reported any shortages may be caused by recent protests at fuel distributors by Just Stop Oil protestors, who want the government to commit to signing no new oil licenses and instead move over to more sustainable energy sources.
Waqas had this message for protestors: "I understand what they're campaigning for, but lots of businesses are being impacted.
"We're not just transporting people for leisure purposes, it's mainly serving government contracts, special needs children who are trying to get to school and taking people to medical appointments, a lot of which they've been waiting for for months.
"If we're late to those because our drivers are queuing for petrol they might have to wait even longer to get new appointments.
"It has a much wider impact... just be considerate."
In a statement, Just Stop Oil said: "The Government can end the queues and closures at petrol station forecourts immediately, ahead of the Easter holidays, by committing to halt all new oil licences and consents.
"Ministers have a choice: they can arrest and imprison Just Stop Oil supporters or agree to no new oil and gas.
"While Just Stop Oil supporters have their liberty the disruption will continue. Now is the moment to come and meet with the coalition."
Downing Street condemned the "guerrilla tactics" used to target oil supplies in a statement on Monday.