Standardised taxi fares to be introduced nationwide

Taxi customers nationwide are to be charged the same in a new fare structure announced today.

A national vehicle licensing system and register to ensure passengers’ safety, improved accessibility, a skills development course for drivers and the introduction of enforcement officers to stamp out rogue drivers will also benefit the public.

Driving Forward is the new action plan for 2006/2007 published by The Commission for Taxi Regulation and implements major changes for the taxi, hackney and limousine service in Ireland.

A major awareness programme will be launched for passengers in September, highlighting the new charges and informing both drivers and customers of their rights and responsibilities.

Licences will only be administered by National Car Testing Service (NCTS) centres when a vehicle has also passed its check and tamper proof disc holders will prevent licences and identification being displayed in illegal vehicles.

A new code of regulations will give gardaí and enforcement officers the power to hand out on-the-spot fines, proceed with court proceedings or consider the revocation or suspension of licences.

No taxi driver will be able to refuse a fare under 30km or charge for carrying luggage or animals and extra charges for cars picking up fares from the airport are to be abolished. The provision of receipts will also be mandatory to quicken complaints’ procedures.

Ger Deering, Commissioner for Taxi Regulation, believes the new regulations will increase the provision of service vehicles and benefit both customers and drivers.

He added a new code of good practice and mandatory skills development programme to be introduced for all new and existing SPSV drivers would give them pride in their job.

“There is no reason why fares should be so different in one town to a neighbouring town or from one county to another,” Mr Deering continued.

“We have worked very hard to make taxi fares simpler. We want customers to get to know fares so they can almost work out what their fare will be the best they can.”

New fares from September 25th:

Standard Rate (8am – 8pm) – initial charge €3.80, next 14km 95c per km, next 15km €1.25 per km, over 30km €1.63.

Premium Rate (8pm – 8am) – initial charge €4.10 euro, next 14km €1.25 per km, next 15km €1.45 per km, over 30km €1.63.

Extra charges include a booking fee of €2, additional passengers €1 and a soiling charge of €125.