Report rejects call for freeze on new licences

A report commissioned by the Commission on Taxi Regulation has rejected calls from taxi drivers for a freeze on the issuing of new licences.

The drivers have staged several protests demanding an end to the issuing of new licences on the grounds that there are too many taxis on the streets.

They say they can no longer make a decent living in the industry.

However, the new report says a moratorium on new licences is not warranted.

It accepts that drivers are working longer hours and earning less money since the industry was deregulated nine years ago.

However, it says market forces should be allowed to decide the number of taxis on the streets.

It says there has already been a drop in new licence applications over the past nine months.