It's going to be a crazy New Year's Eve, and Tamworth and Gunnedah taxi services are preparing.
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New Year's Eve is traditionally one of the biggest nights in the taxi calendar, and general manager of Tamworth Radio Cabs Tristan Rainey says this year's shift will be no different, despite some COVID fear returning from recent NSW outbreaks.
"Even with COVID, people are still coming out, and the confidence is returning with our customer base getting bigger and bigger as time goes on," Mr Rainey explained.
They've put on extra drivers to accommodate demand, but say customers should be mindful and patient that they are in high demand.
The times to watch out for: around 5pm to 6pm and just after 12am.
We definitely won't be putting up with any unruly, disrespectful behaviour, and if it does start, we will pull the pin and go home early.
- Jason Bush
"While we do have those peak times though, everyone celebrates New Year's in different ways. Some may go home at 10pm, some just after the countdown, and then others may not stumble home until the early morning," he explained.
For Jason Bush, owner of Gunnedah Taxis and Cabs, he will be working the night along with his wife.
"We've had difficulty finding drivers to do the Christmas and New Year's season, but we've scraped around a few for tonight. It's always a problem around this time, and me and my wife often work it," Mr Bush said.
He's canvased customers and local pubs and said everyone was preparing for a big one in town.
They're looking at a 2am to 2.30am cut off time, however they'll see what the demand is like and keep going if it's necessary.
"We definitely won't be putting up with any unruly, disrespectful behaviour, and if it does start, we will pull the pin and go home early," Mr Bush stated.
At the end of the day, [drivers] are not out there celebrating or having a drink, they are working to get people to their destinations safely.
- Tristan Rainey
Mr Rainey said while they did put on more drivers tonight and will be operating 24/7 as usual, they were in need of more drivers as the demand for their services increases.
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"It will be difficult to keep up with our six minute average time tonight, absolutely," he laughed.
"We just ask that passengers treat our drivers with respect and patience.
"At the end of the day, they are not out there celebrating or having a drink, they are working to get people to their destinations safely," Mr Rainey concluded.
