Cork taxi driver risks losing licence for failure to accept card payments
Cork driver Willie Wyse operates a cash-only payment system in his taxi service. Picture: Jim Coughlan
A Cork City taxi driver who refuses to accept card payments is being warned he risks losing his taxi licence.
Willie Wyse, who doesn’t have a bank account, says he has no plans to accept credit card payments in his cab, despite a warning letter from gardaí. It is obligatory for taxi drivers to accept credit card payments, but Mr Wyse says it is not possible for him without a bank account.
The 68-year old has received a letter, seen by the a senior garda in Cork, warning that he is “considering revoking your licence to drive small public service vehicles in accordance with Section 12 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Section 12 (1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that: ‘The licensing authority may, at any time, revoke a licence if it is satisfied that the holder of the licence is no longer a suitable person to hold a licence.’”
Mr Wyse said that while he does not blame gardaí for doing their job, he continues to feel persecuted by the National Transport Authority.
“To take card payments you must have a bank account,” he told the .
“I genuinely haven’t had once since 2010. Taking card payments isn’t something I can do without a bank account. There is nothing in the Constitution to say we need one. Even our own former Taoiseach didn’t have a bank account. To threaten to take away my taxi is surely a breach of my constitutional rights.”
He criticised the National Transport Authority.
“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that a man would have his licence revoked for not taking card payments. This wouldn’t happen to the owner of a bar or restaurant so why is it happening to taxi drivers,” Mr Wyse said.
The taxi driver said he is determined to take a stand on the issue.
“I have no intention of ever opening a bank account again.” Mr Wyse said he thinks the move to make credit cards obligatory as “discrimination”.
“I’m doing this for the elderly guys out there who are not technologically adept. I am doing it for them and the whole taxi industry. What else can I do at my age?” He said that being robbed of his livelihood would be “heartbreaking”.
“Taxi driving is the best job in the world because you get to meet so many people. Ninety-nine per cent of the passengers I have are a pleasure to drive and a pleasure to talk to.
“It makes my job worthwhile. I often drive people who are coming to Cork for the first time.
“This is my music to my ears because I know they are going away with good memories.”
In a statement, the National Transport Authority said: “It is a legal requirement for each taxi to have a functioning cashless payment device and for drivers to accept cashless payments. The law was introduced on 1st September 2022.” A representative for An Garda Síochána said they do not comment on named individuals.
