Errant taxi drivers face fines and bans in revamp

Taxi drivers who take needlessly long routes will soon face fines worth thousands of euro, while others with serious criminal convictions could be banned for seven years under a major industry revamp.

Labour TD Alan Kelly, junior minister for public transport, confirmed the planned changes would play a key role in legislation set to be passed into law early next year.

Under the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012, which will replace the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, a “demerit” system will be put in place to catch drivers who fail to follow the law.