Coronavirus (COVID-19): Driver Partners - You matter to us.
Updated: 18 May 2020
The UK Government is advising against the use of public transport – buses and trains. Private-hire vehicles are seen as a better alternative mode of transport in these circumstances. We are introducing additional safeguarding measures to protect you against the spread of COVID-19.
Face coverings
We have sourced face coverings for active Driver Partners, and those who have been inactive recently and now want to take bookings. Wearing face coverings is not mandatory, but the UK Government has recommended anyone in confined public spaces to do so.
The UK Government says that wearing a face covering does not protect you, but it may protect others if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms.
Your licensed vehicle is essentially a public place, and your passengers will feel more confident taking a journey if they see you following Government guidance. Wearing a face covering could result in more bookings for you.
Contact your Driver Liaison Team to request your face coverings, and they will arrange for you to collect a pack, free of charge, every week on an ongoing basis.
For more information on the use of face coverings, click here
Social distancing
There’s only so much social-distancing you can do in a vehicle. Ask all passengers to sit in the rear seats of the vehicle. Preferably on the left if they are travelling alone.
Protective screens
We are also test-driving in-vehicle protective screens which are a temporary and removable fixture placed behind the front seats of a vehicle. Further information will be made available soon.
Vehicle cleaning
We will be identifing specialist regional vehicle cleaning stations. Contact your Driver Liaison Team to find your local cleaning station.
Ventilation
Encourage passengers to increase air-flow by opening windows, where appropriate, to ensure vehicles are well ventilated.
Contactless payment
To minimise the handling of cash we have contactless payment options available for all journeys using AirPay or our mobile app.
Keeping our towns and cities moving safely and efficiently is not a one-way street.
Passengers also need to play their part to help protect Driver Partners by:
- Avoiding contact.
- Wearing a cloth face-covering.
- Using adequate ventilation.
- Sitting in the back seat.
- Washing their hands.