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North East Lincolnshire Council Tackling Taxi Driver Shortage
Taxi operators in Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Immingham, and the whole of North East Lincolnshire are warning customers of long delays due to the shortage of drivers.
The number of taxi drivers available in North East Lincolnshire has been steadily declining as drivers retire and others leave for better jobs.
North East Lincolnshire Council have drafted in extra licensing officers to help with the delay of issuing new licences.
According to North East Lincolnshire Council, the number of applications for new taxi drivers has gone up. In the past three months they have received 11 new applications. However, taxi companies have said that is not enough.
During the pandemic, a large number of taxi drivers left the industry and have gone onto better paid jobs. This has meant the industry is now struggling to meet demand of their customers.
Due to the shortage of taxi drivers in North East Lincolnshire, and the long delays, some customers are being forced to walk to work and to walk home from a night out.
Those looking for taxis over the Christmas period are being warned there could be a longer delay than usual.
Some taxi operators are warning that it could take up to six months or longer to sort out the driver shortage.