Coronavirus: Payments for taxi drivers and bus operators approved
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- Published
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said a £14m package would go directly to taxi drivers.
Coach and bus operators are receiving a package worth £5m.
Some drivers had criticised
reports they would be offered a one-off payment of £1,500, describing it as "a go-away payment".They said this would not go far enough to cover lost earnings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
'Take ownership of us'
Speaking prior to the £14m package being confirmed, taxi driver Pat Meghan told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme the reports of a £1,500 one-off payment were "very disappointing".
"We've went through this process for the last seven months of talking to this department and trying to get somebody to take ownership of us and, finally on Tuesday, Nichola Mallon broke this big news to us that she's putting a bespoke scheme in place," he said.
Mr Meghan said some drivers have cars worth £52,000, which incur high monthly costs.
"£1,500 for the last seven months - we don't know what we're looking into in the future. Is it a payment to get us to go away?"
"Our night time economy has gone, there's nothing out there, there's no one in the city centre, no offices," said Mr Meghan.
"We're down to 10-15% of the work we used to have.
"I haven't been out of the house this last fortnight, I haven't taken the car out because it costs money, money that I don't have to put fuel in my car."
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October 29, 2020 at 06:50PM
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Coronavirus: Payments for taxi drivers and bus operators approved - BBC News
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