WORCESTER residents looking for a taxi ride have fewer options than before the pandemic new figures suggest.

But a taxi driver, who has worked in the city for two decades, has questioned the figures claiming 'cross bordering' means the numbers are in fact higher.

Department for Transport (Dft) figures show 316 vehicles were licensed to operate in Worcester at the end of March.

Of those, 258 were traditional taxis that can be hailed from the street, while 58 were private hire vehicles, such as those available through Uber, which need to be pre-booked.

The figure was down from 319 the year before, when there were 258 taxis and 61 vehicles for private hire, the Dft say.

Mohammad Sajad, from Worcester Taxi Drivers Association, said: "In Worcester we have got at least another 200 private hires.

"The cross bordering has caused the issue, it's been blamed on a government loophole - it isn't right.

"It's a joke. Since the law changed, when you could do cross bordering work, there are more than ever.

"You can now get your licence from Bristol, and work in Worcester, not knowing where you are going, relying on a sat-nav."

Mr Sajad claimed standards for a licence and the quality of a vehicle were different and lower elsewhere to Worcester, meaning there wasn't a level playing field.

"This isn't Worcester council - neighbouring councils need to make the test harder."

Asked about the state of the industry during the pandemic, with the night trade particularly hit, Mr Sajad he was currently finding there was "no money to be made".

"I'm earning enough to get by," he said.

"The grant money from the government helped, but I'm not making any money."

The DfT figures showed there were 3.1 taxis and private hire vehicles for every 1,000 people in Worcester at the end of March, below the national average which is 4.5.

The National Private Hire and Taxi Association said the huge drop in the number of licensed vehicles across England was because of the "sheer absence" of any financial support from government for the industry.

A Government spokeswoman said: “The government has announced several measures to support UK businesses through the pandemic, including the taxi and private hire sector.

"The majority of taxi drivers are self-employed and can apply to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and operating companies are eligible for local council grants.”