Taxi regulator urges drivers not to cause disruption

The Taxi Regulator today said he hoped cab drivers would not cause further disruption when more changes to the industry were implemented in the coming months.

Ger Deering was speaking ahead of the controversial new national taxi fares structure which is to take effect from tomorrow.

Drivers have staged a number of strikes, centred in the capital, in protest at the revised rates which include the scrapping of a Dublin airport surcharge. Mr Deering said tomorrow’s fare changes were only a part of a wider revamp of the industry, which will also see an imminent consultation on enhanced standards and accessibility.

“I think the process to date has been a learning process,” said Mr Deering.

“There are two things that are important. There is more of an awareness now of how the consultation process works and I think people will probably engage more now in the actual consultation process rather than trying to veto the decisions that are made.

“I’d be hopeful that we can move forward now in a spirit of co-operation,” he said.

Only half of the state’s taxi operators have their metres altered for the new fares which will start at between €3.80 and €4.10, according to Head of the National Taxi Drivers Union Tommy Gorman.

The taxi regulator confirmed there would be a three week changeover period for drivers to adhere to the new fares.

“A number of drivers were unable to have their meters pre-programmed in advance,” he said.

“There may even be some confusion over the next 21 days, some people will be operating the old fare, some will be operating the new fare.”

Mr Deering said he would be happy to abide by an appeals process, something which taxi unions have demanded as a part of the reforms.

“The advisory council for the commission for taxi regulation has played a major role all along in the consultation process in informing the new regulations and they have recommended that given the major changes that are involved in this process that after an appropriate period of time that there would be a review of the fare,” he said.

“We have always been committed to carrying out an ongoing monitoring of the fare to see it’s effects and I would be engaging with the advisory council to agree what is the most appropriate time for a review.”