Toronto is now looking like a zombie city. But it is said that the taxi sector is losing nearly 100 percent of its trade. The Taxi Association of Toronto stated that with the abolition of major gatherings, shows, and sporting occasions, the closedown of companies and the government encouraging social distancing and for individuals to remain at home, the streets are practically empty. This leaves the cabbies made to park their cars.
“We’re facing a life-and-death situation,” stated the president of the association that serves 350 independent cab operators.
“It’s almost 100%, there’s nothing outside. The island airport is shut down, the people outside Union Station don’t come. There’s nobody outside and the malls are bare. What are you going to do? We’re hoping this will be short and everyone comes back to work.”
Said projects that a standard driver is losing around $150 a day.
According to the operations manager of Beck Taxi, Kristine Hubbard, they are witnessing a 75 percent to 80 percent reduction in business. They dropped from 1,900 cars to 1,300 in a few weeks in Toronto.
She further stated: “People are still using cabs. Some drivers are choosing to park their cars and not work. Drivers are getting a trip request about every hour, but then there are parts of the city where you’re waiting three hours.”
“It’s very concerning. We rely on other small businesses to keep us in business,” said Hubbard.
She further stated that operators are utilizing antibacterial wipes to wash the seats after every client. This is in response to Coronavirus.
“Flu season is every season for our taxi drivers,” stated Hubbard. “They already had their Lysol wipes and drivers were already wearing their gloves. We’re moving people all the time who are going to chemotherapy or dialysis. They have a suppressed immune system and so they already know the importance of keeping their taxis clean.”
She also said that there a feeling of being a part of the basic service and individuals will not sit on the communal transit. Therefore, there is a feeling of duty.
And the ride-hailing firms like Uber, they are witnessing a 60 percent to 70 percent reduction in rides.
The firm is “well-positioned to weather this crisis and emerge even stronger,” said Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi. He also said that it had around $10 billion of free cash at the finish of February.
He also said this: “As far as the driver supply goes, right now, we’ve got plenty of driver supply. If anything, we are encouraging our drivers to not only take what rides are available there — and you know that the ride business is down, but also move over to UberEats, and delivering food and grocery eats,” said Khosrowshahi.
“Our Eats business is an important resource right now, especially for restaurants that have been hurt by containment policies,” he explained.