TAXI drivers are working together to source fuel as availability in Oxfordshire falls to its lowest point since protests began on April 1.

Just Stop Oil protestors have been blocking major oil terminals across the country over the past two weeks, resulting in fuel stations running out.

However, taxi drivers in Bicester are tackling the problem with improved communication, while fuel prices are leading to fare increases.

READ ALSO: Oxfordshire’s petrol stations have no fuel because of protests

Dawn Mackenzie, from 001 Alpha Cars, said: “We’re coping okay with the fuel and the drivers are managing to get it.

“If you keep your eyes open, there’s fuel – it’s about being sensible and smart to find it.

“As soon as we see a garage with fuel, the drivers are letting each other know.

“It’s about hitting the garages at the right time.

“If people didn’t panic, because it’s then that causes the questions.

“We’ve got drivers coming from Aylesbury, Banbury and even High Wycombe, so they can find fuel, but the situation is awful in Bicester.”

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With regards to fuel prices, Ms Mackenzie added: “The prices are increasing, so we’ve had to increase fares for the first time in four years.

“Our fuel bills have gone through the roof recently, but if you’ve got to get it, then you’ve got to get it. You can’t do the job without it.”

A Bicester Cars staff member said: “At the moment, the garages are selling out.

“The drivers are coming from different places so when they find somewhere with petrol, they’re filling up.

“They know where to find petrol and where it’s available.

“The fuel prices are affecting the business as we have to then increase our prices too.”

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A1 Taxis operates from Oxford but takes passengers as far as Bicester and Witney.

An A1 Taxis employee said: “Some garages are closed due to having no petrol or diesel, but there is availability.

“If you look around, you can find the petrol.

“We get passengers to Bicester, going to the station, and if drivers find fuel, they’ll fill up.

“Our drivers go out everywhere to places like Kidlington, Yarnton and Witney, and if they find petrol, they’ll tell all the other drivers.”

Earlier this week, the BP station in Launton Road had no diesel or petrol, until a delivery arrived on Tuesday.

A store worker said the situation was ‘quite bad’ but the message from head office was that ‘things are getting back to normal’.

Other garages employed preservation tactics to stop running out of fuel, but these have not been effective.

A store worker at Texaco in Chipping Norton said: “We tried to hold some fuel back, and even imposed a £30 spending limit, but it got completely out of control.”

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