Article
13-April-2005
Ireland's new taxi regulator may herald an all-yellow cab fleet, while a
year-long crackdown in Northern Ireland nets hundreds.
All taxis in Ireland should be New York-yellow and have talking meters
within three years according to a strategy document compiled by an alliance
of six disability groups. The study also called for one in five of all taxis
to be wheelchair accessible, with concessions available for disabled users.
The study also noted that the percentage of accessible taxis had halved
since numbers were deregulated four years ago, and said that a central GPS
booking system for all taxi companies was needed to combat the unwillingness
of some drivers to service the disabled community, with sanctions available
for non-compliance.
A colour code was part of the original remit for Ireland's taxi regulator,
and yellow is the the colour most easily recognised by the visually
impaired. Welcoming the document 'Towards an Accessible Taxi Service for
All', Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said: "I've always been a strong
supporter of a single colour nationally. If I needed another reason I've got
it today. They recommend a bright yellow. I think that's a really good
idea."
But Vinny Kearns, vice-president of the National Taxi Drivers' Union,
claimed that the writers of the report had not consulted the industry, and
he predicted that it would 'gather dust' and not be implemented.
Mr Kearns said that the issue was close to his heart since he had had
problems with his father, and said that he had called on the Irish
Wheelchair Association to train taxi drivers in 1991 when wheelchair
accessible licenses were first issued, but this had never happened.
He also said that it would cost each owner 5,000 euros to have their cars
resprayed, and doubted that funds would be available to implement the report
and sufficiently subsidise those dependent on taxis.
But Mr Brennan said that finance would be made available, and he added that
the document was 'the most exciting report' he had seen regarding accessible
taxis. He also said that the views of the trade would be taken into account,
but could not be a 'blockage'.
Green party spokesman Eamon Ryan claimed that the report lacked ambition in
relation to the proportion of accessible taxis, and called on disability
groups to be more ambitious.
TSAR
Meanwhile, Mr Gerard Deering, a departmental director with Carlow County
Council, has been appointed Ireland's new national taxi regulator, and will
take office in September.
Transport Minister Brennan said that Mr Deering would be armed with the Act
and the National Taxi Council chaired by a former Garda Commissioner.
Among Mr Deering's responsibilities will be the setting of standards for
vehicles and drivers, including age, size and a national uniform colour for
taxis, and a high standard of knowledge and a dress code for drivers.
Mr Brennan said that he wanted to encourage a 'cab culture' that existed in
cities like London and New York, and wanted to see the day when everyone
could walk onto the street and hail a taxi.
Mr Brennan also announced that individuals with criminal records would be
not be allowed to drive taxis, and he hoped the ban would be in place by the
time his ministerial powers were transferred to Mr Deering.
But the NTDU's Mr Kearns said that it would be unfair to retrospectively ban
drivers with past convictions, although he welcomed the move to prevent
unsuitable new drivers from entering the trade.
He claimed that some drivers had convictions for IRA membership and illegal
possession of guns, and he argued that to ban these drivers would be
contrary to the Belfast Agreement. He also said that he knew drivers with
30-year-old assault convictions who had been told that their licenses would
not be renewed under the proposed legislation.
But the Department of Transport said that the delay surrounding the passing
of the new legislation was to prevent this situation arising. It said that
those currently refused a license could apply to the courts on the basis
that they had repaid their debt to society, and this provision will be
included in the new Act.
COMPLAINTS
It is hoped that the new taxi regulator will tackle a environment of ever
increasing complaints against taxi drivers.
An informal Irish Times survey revealed a litany of complaints against the
trade. One woman complained that she recently got into a cab where the
driver was steering with one hand and eating a kebab with the other. Another
said that on asking for her change the driver 'roared abuse and threatened
me'.
Others complained of smoking drivers or a smell of smoke in the car, with
complaints met with intimidation.
Another complained of a 'clapped out, smelly taxi' driven at high speed by a
driver who claimed that he couldn't drop below third gear. At the end of the
journey a complaint made the driver abusive, and he shouted 'I know where
you live'.
Overcharging tops the list of complaints, despite he introduction of
electronic receipt machines, with many drivers simply not issuing them.
NORTHERN IRELAND CRACKDOWN
Meanwhile, a year-long operation including the checking of 3,400 taxis has
uncovered hundreds of illegal taxis in Northern Ireland.
A five-strong Taxi Enforcement Team was set up by the Driver & Vehicle
Testing Agency to tackle a problem that officials described as having
reached an 'epidemic level'. The move was funded by an additional £20 levy
on legitimate drivers.
The probe led to:
- 372 reported for prosecution for operating illegally;
- 252 unlicensed drivers uncovered;
- 344 uninsured taxis;
- 163 siezures of radio equipment on evidential grounds.
One driver plead guilty to three separate offences including operating
without a taxi driver's license or insurance.
Gerard McKenna of Belfast was spotted in his Vauxhall Astra and a concealed
two-way radio was found.
He was fined £1,500 and given a two-year driving ban at Belfast Magistrates
Court.
Team member Stephen Spratt said that hundreds of other prosecutions would
follow but he added that many offenders used their radios to warn each other
about enforcement operations.
But he urged the public not to used unlicensed operators as many had
criminal records or suffered ill health.
Source:- http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk
Newsletter
Sponsored Links
TAXI BIZ WEB SITE DESIGN
Quality Design & Marketing Impact that delivers.
Call (01) 6174886
www.webdesignIreland.ie
INTERNET MARKETINGDrive online sales with an Active Online Internet marketing program.
www.activeonline.ie
ADVERTISE YOUR BIZ HEREAdvertise
your business here and get sales leads. €350 per annum flat rate.
more details
Adverts