Regulator planning undercover taxi inspections

The Taxi Regulator Ger Deering is reportedly planning an undercover inspection campaign to ensure taxi drivers are complying with rules and regulations.

In a newspaper interview this morning, Mr Deering revealed inspectors would be sent out to check that taxi drivers were complying with regulations like their obligation to display fares and issue printed receipts.

He said on-the-spot fines would be issued to any drivers found to be in breach of these obligations.

This morning's reports said Mr Deering was also seeking the abolition of vehicle registration tax on wheelchair-accessible taxis, the introduction of a special phoneline for customer complaints and the establishment of a new taxi driver training programme.

However, he has reportedly ruled out the possibility of imposing a uniform taxi colour because a roof sign is regarded as adequate identification.