IT’S one of the busiest and most polarising weeks of the year for the region’s cabbies.
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While most families are tearing into their presents on Christmas morning, Tamworth’s taxi drivers are experiencing a unique rush.
Tamworth taxi director Greg Rowland said it was a time-consuming and physical shift on Christmas day, but extremely rewarding.
“It’s the busiest day of the year for the wheelchair assistance taxis,” Mr Rowland said.
“We’ve got eight [wheelchair assistance taxis].
“It’s essential for Christmas that they’re all operating to capacity.”
ON THE CLOCK OVER CHRISTMAS:
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- Taminda’s CrossFit clan will be keen to snatch more than another plate of food over the festive season.
- “There’s a special need over the Christmas period,” Tamworth psychologist says.
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There’s often a rush between 9am and 11am linking people up with their families, and once again between 2pm and 4pm returning people home.
While the traditional public holiday can become a hectic one for the cabbies, it’s one of the most rewarding on the calendar.
“It’s extremely rewarding because it’s important for families to get together, particularly on this day of the year, and they’re dependent on you to get their loved ones there safely,” he said.
Mr Rowland reckons he’s worked eight Christmases in the past 11 years and said he didn’t mind staying on the clock for the festive season.
“I don’t mind: the Christmas shift is a very important responsibility,” he said.
“You just have to do it.”
The week is about to ratchet up again for the local cabbies, but this time they’ll be confronted with a completely different range of jobs.
Mr Rowland said he’d be sure to stock his glovebox with sick-bags ahead of the New Year’s Eve shift.
“Both Christmas and New Year’s Eve can be full-on and intense,” he said.
“But the style of work is totally polarised.
“Christmas is a fantastic day where you really feel like you’re part of things.
“New Year’s Eve can be pretty helter-skelter and you’re relieved when the week’s over.”
Mr Rowland encouraged New Year’s revellers to enjoy themselves safely and said the taxis would be there to make sure they got home the same way.
The cabbies get a bit of respite after the festive season, giving just enough time to get all of their ducks in a row for the country music festival.