PRIVATE hire drivers and taxi chauffeurs gathered around George Square yesterday to demand government support as Covid restrictions tighten.

Around 100 cars showed up for the blockade, which lasted about an hour and 30 minutes, starting at 10am.

Previously, they staged a 'go-slow' convoy and stopped at junctions in the city, blaring their horns to obstruct the flow of traffic.

With these actions, they called on the Scottish Government to support them as Covid restrictions are once again getting firmer, creating a loss of income. 

Glasgow Times:

Eddie Grice, a driver and Glasgow Chair of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) said: "We protested because the private hire trade and taxi trade have been completely excluded from the current round of business support.

"It was about sending a message to the Scottish Government that our trade won't be left behind and will fight for that level of support that we need."

Following the blockade, the ADCU will begin talks with the government in the next few days, where they will demand support.

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The ADCU chair added: "After the event, everybody I spoke to felt positive about it.

"Now, we will go into our meetings with the Scottish Government later in the week and next week, having shown a force and unity.

"We should have a stronger negotiating position and hopefully be able to get what we are asking for."

During the last lockdown, drivers received grants from the government but they were 'far too little and far too late', according to union bosses.

This time, they insist on more help, but don't necessarily expect financial compensation.

The 38-year-old private hire driver said: "They could instruct the local authorities to defer licensing fees, they could give us extensions on the lifespan of our vehicles.

"But by in large, we are looking for measures and mitigations to be put in place to ensure that the trade survives in the long term.

"The year of 2020 and 2021 has been disastrously quiet because of Covid restrictions constantly coming into place.

"When people are working from home, they are not out and about the office, they have no need for taking a car.

"Same with nightclubs and pubs being closed and hospitality sector, their closure has an effect on us, because people usually go to these places and come back from these places with taxis and private hire.

"Taxi drivers have been very anxious, this is a high-risk environment, we are stuck in a car with people and we don't know if that person has got the virus.

"Because we are self-employed, if we catch it, there is no safety net and we are stuck with the bills regardless with no income. Transport workers have been hit hardest by the virus.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Scottish Government officials met taxi and private hire sector representatives last week to begin to explore their case for further funding."