South Shields taxi firm offers no-cost driver sign-up to tackle shortage

A South Shields taxi firm has launched a campaign to encourage new and existing drivers into the trade.

Nearby Richmond Taxis, South Tyneside’s largest private hire operator, hopes the ‘Free Ride’ campaign will help it solve the driver shortage, which has resulted in longer waiting times for customers.

The company is offering to pay for a medical, badge (on successful application with the council), vehicle test and on-site training to cut costs for drivers joining the company and to fast-track them to the necessary standard.

The company said costs such as paying for license applications, enhanced DBS checks, and other credentials can often deter people from becoming a taxi driver if they don’t have the money to start out.

Gemma Errington (pictured), fleet driver manager at Nearby Richmond Taxis, said: “With the current shortage of drivers across the UK at the moment it’s great to be able to offer something back to people wanting to get in to the taxi and private hire trade.”

By assisting them with zero start-up costs we’re hoping to see more drivers joining us, allowing us to cut down on customer wait times and providing a first-class, local service.”

The company recently incorporated ‘Nearby’ into its brand name after becoming part of the Nearby group, including Nearby LA Taxis, Nearby Westoe Taxis and Nearby Eastcoast Taxis.

This means when a customer books a taxi with a Nearby brand, if one of the other Nearby fleet taxis is in the area it can take the fare.