Driver clocks in for his final shift (From Barry And District News)

Driver clocks in for his final shift

A BARRY taxi driver has clocked up his final fare after 23 years. Bill Robertson, from Hanover Court, retired from K-TAX on Friday.

The driver said that he had "quite enjoyed" his job over the years, which involved work mainly in Penarth, Sully, Barry and Cardiff.

Last Friday he reported to the office at 6.30am, ready to complete his final early morning shift.

K-TAX owner Gareth Williams, from Sully, described Bill as a "brilliant person".

He said: "I am sad to see him go."

Bill has retired as a result of ill health, and he is due to undergo a couple of operations in the near future.

He explained that working as a taxi driver has changed over the years, and that day and night shifts were worlds apart.

During the week, he said that the bulk of passengers were pensioners who needed to go shopping or visiting. But at night, the main focus was on driving young people to and from the nearby towns.

Bill started doing night shifts in 1979 and continued for 10 years. He then moved on to day shifts for the next 13 years.

Over this time Bill has had to drive many different cars, but his favourite was a Nissan Bluebird that he drove about ten years ago. He also treasures his current car, a Kia, which he has been ferrying passengers around in for the past three years.

His colleagues presented him with a watch on his final day, and took him out to the St Fagan's pub, on Friday evening for a few farewell drinks.

Bill, originally from Glasgow, has spent his first week of retirement enjoying a break in Blackpool with his wife.

He plans to spend his spare time gardening and playing bowls.