British govt accused of Newry taxi snub

The British government was today accused of snubbing the border city of Newry during a public consultation on a vital piece of policy.

SDLP Assembly Member PJ Bradley wrote to Northern Secretary Peter Hain to complain about the exclusion of Newry from a series of public meetings across the North on plans to radically overhaul the taxi industry.

Public meetings on the draft Taxis (NI) Order 2006 will be held next month in Derry, Cookstown, Armagh, Ballymena, Banbridge, Enniskillen and Belfast.

Mr Bradley said it was outrageous that the views of people in one of the North’s five cities were not being sought.

The South Down MLA said: “I have written to the secretary of state to complain yet again at the exclusion of Newry and south Down, this time from the consultation process on the future of taxi businesses.

“Recently, we had the exclusion of Newry from the proposals by government to support retail development at Derry, Belfast and Sprucefield and now we find that our area is sidelined yet again.

“I have expressed the belief to the secretary of state that he and his ministers are unsuspectingly being duped by some of their advisors who have no particular interest in this predominately nationalist area and if anything may be working to halt the ongoing progress of Newry and its surrounds.”

Under plans radically overhauling how the industry is run, all new taxi-drivers in the North would be required to take a special driving test.

Northern Ireland Office environment minister David Cairns also announced all companies would have to apply maximum fare rates for their cabs under the legislation, which should be in place by March next year.

Police and the Driver Vehicle Testing Agency will also be given the power to stop and seize taxis operating illegally.

They will be able to inspect premises where it is suspected taxi services are operating without a proper license and impose fines up to £2,500 (€3,700).

Taxis will also be allowed to pick up passengers hailing cabs on the streets without a booking.

All cabs will be required to have meters.

Drivers will have to have relevant training, including how to deal with customers.

Taxis will be allowed to operate shared services, which can charge individual customers separate but cheaper-than-normal fares.

Firms will be obliged to provide more cabs designed to meet the needs of older people and those people with disabilities.

Only accessible vehicles will be allowed to use taxi ranks.

The proposals have received a lukewarm welcome from taxi operators.