There has been some adverse press comment in recent months about the problem a number of passengers are facing when trying to book a taxi to get them home from the likes of a restaurant, party or the theatre. So, why is it sometimes not easy to book a taxi home?

Well, if you are a taxi driver, you will be aware that the pandemic hit the industry hard as it did many other sectors. Nobody was flying off on holiday so they didn’t need an airport transfer to and from the airport. Restaurants, pubs and theatres closed so no one needed a lift home from a taxi or private hire vehicle. As a result, many thousands of taxi drivers left the industry to try to find alternative employment and have never bothered to return to driving a cab. Many taxi firms went out of business and have not been in a financial position to set up again.

This has meant that once many of the above places re-opened and customers started to go out for a drink or on an overseas holiday there were not and still are not enough taxis or private hire vehicles to cope with the demand. There is a significant cost in setting up as a taxi driver and it takes quite a long time to do this so this may be a reason why not enough new taxi drivers are joining the industry.

Whilst this means that many existing taxi drivers are very busy which is excellent news for them it is not good for passengers.

With regard to the likes of airport transfers, this is a trip that can usually allow for a taxi or private hire vehicle to be booked well in advance. If you book a couple of tickets to go to the theatre in a fortnight’s time then make sure that you also book a taxi at that time rather than leave it to the last minute. Obviously, if you go out at the last minute on a Friday or Saturday night for a drink then it may be difficult to order a taxi to take you and pick you up.