Strike Sends Taxi Bookings Sky-High

If you’ve tried to grab a bus recently and ended up hopping in a taxi instead, you’re not alone.

One of the island’s biggest cab firms, Elegance Taxis, says it’s seeing demand jump by almost 40% as the ongoing Bus Vannin strike continues to mess with schedules.

The strike is now in its second phase after talks broke down between the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) and Unite the Union.

Bus services had only just returned to normal last Tuesday after a 10-day walkout in late February, but with a further 20 days of industrial action scheduled through March, things aren’t exactly smoothing out any time soon.

For Elegance Taxis, co-owner Stephen Rundle says the spike is a mixed blessing.

‘Looking at the most recent numbers, we are 38% up on our usual volumes,’ he explained. ‘Great for business, but it has a knock-on impact on drivers. They’ve had to call in favours for school runs, miss family events, and put social life on hold… so we’re really grateful for the extra effort.’

To keep up, the firm has brought in extra staff and operators. ‘It’s always better to answer a call than let it ring out,’ Mr Rundle said, ‘even if we sadly have no cars immediately available.’

Customers have mostly been understanding, he added. ‘We just try to be honest and realistic with timings, updating people by phone, text or via our app.’

The extra cabs on the road have also stirred up a bit of traffic chaos. ‘Certain periods and areas just get more congested,’ Mr Rundle said. ‘Throw more cars on top of that, and travel times naturally increase, even for the smaller trips.’

Meanwhile, Bus Vannin drivers say there’s currently ‘no end in sight’ to the strike, accusing the DoI of stonewalling talks over pay and proposed changes to terms and conditions.