New taxi drivers face tougher restrictions

TAXI driver groups have given a guarded welcome to a series of reforms for the industry announced by the Commission for Taxi Regulation.

The new rules will place tighter restrictions on future applicants for a taxi licence, which is likely to slow down the number of new entrants to the profession.

Taxi drivers have staged a large number of protests over the past year as part of a campaign calling for a moratorium on the issuing of new licences amid claims that many of their members can no longer earn a decent wage because of an oversupply of taxi plates.

New rules will result in taxi licenses only being issued for wheelchair accessible vehicles from next year, while there will also be a ban on the transfer on any new taxi licences from that date. Existing plate holders will only be able to transfer their licence once more and only to vehicles under three years old.

Taxi Regulator Kathleen Doyle said stronger penalties will also be introduced for drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles who fail to provide a service to people with disabilities when requested to do so.

All new entrants must also have a vehicle which is less than nine years old. The nine-year age limit on vehicles will also apply to all existing taxi drivers from January 2011 – 12 months ahead of its original target date. Ms Doyle said the commission recognised that this rule will have cost implications for drivers but said a balance had to be drawn with the need to ensure a high standard is maintained for the national taxi fleet. She noted that 25% of all taxis are over nine years of age.

The Commission said it would require more information from licence holders from next year, including details of other employment, and promised greater enforcement of rules.

It is also fast-tracking a skills programme for existing taxi drivers so that all plate holders must undertake the programme before 2012.

Ms Doyle said the various reforms, which are aimed specifically at improving the standard of the taxi fleet and the knowledge of those operating it, would be introduced on a phased basis between now and 2012.

She described the new measures as “a natural progression in our ongoing reform of the industry” as well as a proactive response to the recommendations of an independent report and a consultative process with taxi drivers and consumers.

She pointed out that in the last five years the commission had introduced a national maximum taxi fare and a national taximeter area to ensure greater ease for consumers and to create a secure and transparent vehicle licensing system.

“We must focus on raising standards through regulation, licensing and enforcement, taking into account that the industry now operates within a free market,” remarked Ms Doyle.

The Irish Taxi Council said last night that it was “cautiously optimistic” about the proposed reforms, which were also welcomed by the Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation.