A PRIVATE hire firm has handed out more than £10,000 worth of discounts to the city’s key workers during lockdown.

Kind-hearted bosses at Network Private Hire have dug deep to support Glasgow’s heroes who are continuing to rely on their services.

Nurses, doctors, carers, and shop assistant are among those who have benefitted from a £2 discount on all fares for travel across the city.

John Paul Cassidy, senior manager at Network, said: “We had originally set out to do this for NHS staff only then it became clear how much our service was needed for all key workers.

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“This has all come from our own pocket and we have given out around £10,000 worth of discounts to our city’s heroes.

“In some cases, including a pharmacy worker, we can be giving a £2 discount on a £4 fare, meaning we are giving people half price journeys.

“We are ourselves probably only running at about 55 per cent capacity but still want to do what we can.

“It’s important to emphasise the discount is from our own pocket and not a penny is taken from the drivers.

“They are still getting their full fare and we are so thankful for them.”

It’s just one of the ways the Blochairn Road-based firm has gone the extra mile to help those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Staff at Network have delivered thousands of essential supplies to people across the city, backed football club Shettleston Juniors’ bid to feed vulnerable pensioners, and even handed out Easter eggs to NHS staff.

Mr Cassidy said: “Our staff have been awesome throughout all of this in what they do.

“We are lucky we go to work in the morning and can talk about what we are going to eat in the evening or whatever.

“There is no danger we are not going to not come back or become sick at our work.

“But, for so many key workers, this is the case and they are all amazing for what they do.

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“We thank them all for what they are doing everyday to help others.”

Mr Cassidy added: “We are still putting drivers through training as best we can.”