Dalkeith taxi firm helps community

Dalkeith-based taxi firm Abbey Cabs has been doing its bit to help those in need in our communities during the coronavirus lockdown.
Abbey Cabs Dalkeith, which is offerings discounted fares for vital deliveries and free fares for the elderly.Abbey Cabs Dalkeith, which is offerings discounted fares for vital deliveries and free fares for the elderly.
Abbey Cabs Dalkeith, which is offerings discounted fares for vital deliveries and free fares for the elderly.

The firm, established in 2017, is offering free taxis for any elderly or vulnerable people in Midlothian, every day between 10am and noon.

And it has come to an agreement with Tesco at Hardengreen to allow its drivers to collect shopping for those who cannot leave their homes due to self-isolation, at a 50 per cent discount on the standard metered fare. It is also offering half price fares for deliveries of food and medication.

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Abbey Cabs owner Phil Rutherford said: “The free taxis are to help people who can’t normally, get to the shops. It has been quite popular.

“But unfortunately a lot of elderly people don’t want to go to the shops as they are such busy places. We had a lady ask us to pick up her click and collect order but the driver couldn’t take the order as they needed the cardholder. So I had a discussion with the manager at Tesco and we can now pick up click and collect orders, with half price fares.

“We have also had a couple of local care providers open accounts with us, as we are offering 40 per cent discount to care providers.

“So, we are trying to our bit to help, but it’s a business as well. Unfortunately we can’t do it all for free. We post deals on Facebook. We are trying to get the message out to elderly people that are not online. We want to spread the word however we can.

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“Everybody seems to be over the moon about what we are offering. We are looking at other ways to help people and will update people on our Facebook page.”

Abbey Cabs currently has 17 drivers, working full and part time, and Phil is mindful of the coronavirus shutdown hitting those jobs, and indeed the entire industry.

He said:“We have applied for grants available for self employed businesses like ours, which should tide us over for a couple of months.

“It’s hard for everybody just now. I got in touch with other operators in Midlothian and told them what I intended to do with discounts, to try to ensure that all the taxi companies get at least something. Although they are my competition I don’t want to see anyone go out of business.

“It’s about helping the community and the taxi trade as well. Trying to find the best way to deal with it.”

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