OCTOPUS ANNOUNCE MEASURES TO SUPPORT TAXI
DRIVERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
20 March 2020, Ansty
Octopus today announce further measures to support taxi drivers through the disruption that continues to be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last week Octopus have been closely monitoring the landscape of the taxi trade, and have been carefully listening to the feedback from drivers about how this is affecting the trade.
In addition to confirmation on Tuesday that they will reset and postpone the next minimum mileage checkpoint to 1st October 2020, Octopus today announce they are introducing an additional measure: a three-month payment holiday for mileages driven in the months of March, April and May 2020.
The mileages driven during these three months will continue to be logged, but those on an existing 'Pay As You Use' finance option with Octopus will not be billed in this period. Instead, the total mileage covered in March, April and May will be recovered in 24 equal installments from the driver's monthly direct debits over the subsequent two years.
This will allow drivers to continue using their vehicle without any immediate need to pay for the associated mileage.
Here is an example to illustrate:
- You drive a total of 6,000 miles in March, April and May 2020.
- Your price-per-mile is £0.40, meaning they have an outstanding balance due of £2,400
- The balance of 6,000 miles is divided into 24 instalments of 250 miles per month
- 250 miles per month is reclaimed at your price-per-mile of £0.40, resulting in a £100 monthly charge
- The first instalment of this mileage reclaim will occur in your direct debit scheduled on the 1st July 2020 and will be in addition to your mileage payment due for June 2020
- A further £100 would then be collected in each of the following 23 months of direct debits, until the balance of the £2,400 is fully repaid
Should a driver wish not to opt out of this payment holiday then they are welcome to do so. Please just notify Octopus before the end of March 2020 that you wish to opt out.
For all questions, please contact an Octopus Taxi representative.