AN experienced taxi driver said the Christmas and new year period had been the quietest in 25 years.

Tony Saunders, chairman of the Colchester Hackney Carriage Association, stayed at home over the festive period to save cash.

He said drivers were giving up because of the declining trade.

Mr Saunders said: “I am starting my 26th year in taxis and it was the worst new year and Christmas ever.

“The majority of drivers would agree it was quieter than most Saturday evenings.

“Firms would have Christmas parties 25 years ago, but there are not a lot of big firms here any more and there aren’t these Christmas parties – a lot of smaller departments go out on their own.”

Mr Saunders said another reason for declining taxi trade was that people were not prepared to pay prices charged by some bars and would rather buy lower priced alcohol from supermarkets.

He said with both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve falling on Saturday nights, drivers had expected to be busy but were left disappointed.

Mr Saunders said: “The morale has been very low throughout the year because it has been getting slowly worse and there has been a decline in trade.

“People are still finding it tough. The recession is still biting and people are still careful with their money and some people would see a taxi as a luxury.

“It is certainly worrying and some drivers are giving up.

“They are biting the bullet and have got to find something else – you can’t blame them.”