Gardai picking on taxi drivers!

fortuneteller

:rolleyes:

markpb

I agree 100% with taxi drivers and their current protest but there's no way anyone can defend the attitude most (not all) taxi drivers (in Dublin anyway) have towards road offences. It doesn't matter if the taxi rank is too small, you cannot ignore the double yellow lines, pedestrian crossing, cycle paths, junctions or bus stops to make it longer to suit you.

The DB stop outside Connolly station has been taken out of service because the taxi drivers block it every morning and every evening. Ten or more taxies park in the 3 space taxi rank beside dear old Molly at College Green - they go so far back along the double yellow lines, they reduce the road to one lane back at the pedestrian corner.

Frankly, I can't understand why the Gardai have been so lax about giving out to taxi drivers.

Gumbo

markpb wrote: »

I agree 100% with taxi drivers and their current protest but there's no way anyone can defend the attitude most (not all) taxi drivers (in Dublin anyway) have towards road offences. It doesn't matter if the taxi rank is too small, you cannot ignore the double yellow lines, pedestrian crossing, cycle paths, junctions or bus stops to make it longer to suit you.

The DB stop outside Connolly station has been taken out of service because the taxi drivers block it every morning and every evening. Ten or more taxies park in the 3 space taxi rank beside dear old Molly at College Green - they go so far back along the double yellow lines, they reduce the road to one lane back at the pedestrian corner.

Frankly, I can't understand why the Gardai have been so lax about giving out to taxi drivers.

agree with your post but i cant beleive the government allow taxi plate to continue to be issued when there clearly isint enough space for them to park!

its a crap situation at the moment.

ardmacha

agree with your post but i cant beleive the government allow taxi plate to continue to be issued when there clearly isint enough space for them to park!

There isn't free parking for anyone in the city centre.

Kintarō Hattori

I would agree that far too many plates would seem to have been issued but I'm also annoyed with the behaviour of alot of taxi drivers. I work for Peats in parnell street and the taxi drivers extend the 4/5 car rank outside the shop down chapel lane which is clearly marked with double yellow lines. They run right along the side of the shop blocking access to the delivery bay yet nothing seems to be done about it.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/liamandagnieszka/2763342069/

tbh

I would support a cap on numbers but only if all existing plates are scrapped and all drivers have to re-apply.

Cookie_Monster

What was original post newspaper article or such?

I think gardai are far to lax on taxi drivers, but also on everyone else for that matter and I doubt it will change.

Overuse of ranks is something that does annoy me, particularly when it ends up blocking bus stops/ parking/ disabled spaces or even the road itself.

All 4 at once is possible in the rank in dun loaghaire, taxis in disabled/normal spaces at end of rank, sitting on the road behind the spaces and in the bus stop opposite waiting to swing accross (as well as blocking the church emergency exit:rolleyes:)

godtabh

kceire wrote: »

agree with your post but i cant beleive the government allow taxi plate to continue to be issued when there clearly isint enough space for them to park!

Its a free market isnt it?

Gumbo

ardmacha wrote: »

There isn't free parking for anyone in the city centre.

what the hell are you on about? are you trolling????:rolleyes:

a taxi is a public service vehicle, it is entitled to park in a rank, just like commercial cars can park in loading bays.

Gumbo

kearnsr wrote: »

Its a free market isnt it?

im not here top debate on wether plates should be capped or not, but if thats your attitude then stop moaning about them blocking lanes because the ranks are full.

slow down, indicate into the other lane and get on with your like for gods sake.

markpb

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

What was original post newspaper article or such?

It was a rant from a taxi driver asking if there was a new Garda policy to harass taxi drivers for little things like trying to get into a rank when it's full. He complained that he has been working all morning and only came out with €12 net.

I'm guessing he replaced the post with the smiley because he expected sympathy and got the rules of the road pointed out to him.

Gumbo

markpb wrote: »

It was a rant from a taxi driver asking if there was a new Garda policy to harass taxi drivers for little things like trying to get into a rank when it's full. He complained that he has been working all morning and only came out with €12 net.

I'm guessing he replaced the post with the smiley because he expected sympathy and got the rules of the road pointed out to him.

gross, i would imagine?
before he pays for petrol/diesel, upkeep of car etc etc

Cookie_Monster

markpb wrote: »

It was a rant from a taxi driver asking if there was a new Garda policy to harass taxi drivers for little things like trying to get into a rank when it's full.

How is that a little thing?

"Don't mind me garda, I know I'm blocking an entire lane of traffic but sure it's just till I can fit in here"
FFS

(not aimed at you btw mark:))

markpb

kceire wrote: »

gross, i would imagine?
before he pays for petrol/diesel, upkeep of car etc etc

€12 net means €12 after all expenses have been taken out. http://homepages.cambrianc.on.ca/tutorial/thetutorialcentre/mathscience/math/gross%20versus%20net.htm

Gross means before deductions.

Gumbo

markpb wrote: »

€12 net means €12 after all expenses have been taken out. http://homepages.cambrianc.on.ca/tutorial/thetutorialcentre/mathscience/math/gross%20versus%20net.htm

Gross means before deductions.

yeah exactly, the OP went out at 6am this morning, and at 10.20am he only had €12 in fares. So thats his gross money, he still has tp pay tax, prsi, petrol, servicing out of this.

andrewh5

kceire wrote: »

a taxi is a public service vehicle, it is entitled to park in a rank.

Correct. They are not allowed to park on double yellow lines, block entrances and junctions and generally cause obstructions though!

godtabh

kceire wrote: »

im not here top debate on wether plates should be capped or not, but if thats your attitude then stop moaning about them blocking lanes because the ranks are full.

slow down, indicate into the other lane and get on with your like for gods sake.

I never said anything about blocking lanes.

If they obey the law I dont give a crap how many plates are out there.

If they dont obey the law they should be done and I still dont give a crap how many plates there is.

jack90210

Keep fining them for breaking the law. Then some drivers will be making a loss will exit the business and thus a free market equilibrium level will remain.

Gumbo

kearnsr wrote: »

I never said anything about blocking lanes.

If they obey the law I dont give a crap how many plates are out there.

If they dont obey the law they should be done and I still dont give a crap how many plates there is.

yes, but your post about it being a free market......

at least have the infrastructure there in place to support the extra taxis if they insist on allowing more into this free market.

Zamboni

The gardai should nail them and lets face it, its easy pickings to find a taxi driver committing a driving/parking offence.

Plenty of decent taxi drivers out there who get a bad name because of a portion of them not giving a toss about basic motoring laws.

Ham'nd'egger

I am not excusing any of illegal ranks or parking beyond the marked out limits of the rank spaces in both Dublin and beyond but this is clearly another issue that only serves to vex both taxi drivers, commercial delivery men, private motorist and Garda Boíbí.

I need not document the over supply of taxis yet again but rank space has not even close to attempted to keep up or close with same. When one asks the powers that be to address it, you get this following vicious circle....

1. Taxi Regulator says it's not their office remit, ask the council.
   
2. Council says not our call, ask the Gardaí.
   
3. Gardaí say not our call, ask the Regulator.
   
4. Taxi Regulator calls in consultants to "audit" taxi ranks nationally to be told there isn't enough but it's the councils job to supply same.
   
5. Meanwhile they issue another 1,000 plates and out date their expensively counted spaces "audit" that could be easily collated in a few phone calls to local Roads Departments over a week.

And with the toothless record of Taxi "Unions" helping to move on this and other issues and the seemingly scathing regard that the Taxi Regulator has in dealing with genuine driver issues (And let it be said, this is very much a genuine issue that has to be dealt with ASAP for the good of all sides). One solution that is being bandied about is the use of certain loading bays after 7PM to be designated as ranks. It is a quick and efficient short term solution given that many bays are located in areas that the mutant ranks are forming.

Spook_ie

Hamndegger wrote: »

I am not excusing any of illegal ranks or parking beyond the marked out limits of the rank spaces in both Dublin and beyond but this is clearly another issue that only serves to vex both taxi drivers, commercial delivery men, private motorist and Garda Boíbí.

I need not document the over supply of taxis yet again but rank space has not even close to attempted to keep up or close with same. When one asks the powers that be to address it, you get this following vicious circle....

1. Taxi Regulator says it's not their office remit, ask the council.
   
2. Council says not our call, ask the Gardaí.
   
3. Gardaí say not our call, ask the Regulator.
   
4. Taxi Regulator calls in consultants to "audit" taxi ranks nationally to be told there isn't enough but it's the councils job to supply same.
   
5. Meanwhile they issue another 1,000 plates and out date their expensively counted spaces "audit" that could be easily collated in a few phone calls to local Roads Departments over a week.

And with the toothless record of Taxi "Unions" helping to move on this and other issues and the seemingly scathing regard that the Taxi Regulator has in dealing with genuine driver issues (And let it be said, this is very much a genuine issue that has to be dealt with ASAP for the good of all sides). One solution that is being bandied about is the use of certain loading bays after 7PM to be designated as ranks. It is a quick and efficient short term solution given that many bays are located in areas that the mutant ranks are forming.

Would only help at night times though, but then again at night times you have maybe twice as many taxis operating and at weekends when the part timers comeout maybe 3 or 4 times as many...maybe we should ask for more loading bays:)

Seriously though, heres an even easier solution, just to keep all you nice car drivers happy!, ban all cars from city centre or introduce a whacking big congestion charge , then get the taxis to actualy be part of the public transport by introducing a flat rate for journeys within the city center/congestion zone of say €3 and metered after leaving the zone, feasable...yes, practical...yes, enviromentaly sensitive...yes, cycle friendly....that would be debatable, considering how cyclists and taxi drivers often view each other Jeez just thought we could knock down a whole load of empty apartment complexes and industrial units and have park n ride for those lucky enuff to still have a job.....this could be a runner, must email the greeparty with a properly formatted email....

Paulw

Whatever about the number of plates, I certainly think that the Gardai should very much enfore the rules of the road towards taxi drivers, especially relating to driving offences and parking offences.

It always seems that there is one law for taxi drivers, and one for everyone else. I've no sympathy for taxi drivers who don't obey the laws.

Spook_ie

Paulw wrote: »

Whatever about the number of plates, I certainly think that the Gardai should very much enfore the rules of the road towards taxi drivers, especially relating to driving offences and parking offences.

It always seems that there is one law for taxi drivers, and one for everyone else. I've no sympathy for taxi drivers who don't obey the laws.

Heres a suggestion for you, next time you're driving along and you see a non taxi committing an offence, parking, erratic driving, speeding whatever ask yourself this question, why is that driver getting away with doing that? I'd bet the answer is there isn't a Garda in sight, now ask yourself the same question when you see a taxi doing similar offences and why are they getting away with it, I'd warrant again not a Garda in sight, the answer more Garda prosecuting private drivers and taxi drivers alike...

godtabh

kceire wrote: »

yes, but your post about it being a free market......

at least have the infrastructure there in place to support the extra taxis if they insist on allowing more into this free market.

Taxi infrastructure is a limite resource. People who go into the taxi industry must realise it is a business decsion to do so and must accept the risk (as well as the reward) assoicated with it.

If that means driving around while looking for a spot at a rank well thats what has to be done.

Taxis have the right to a space in a rank but not to block other road users

Ham'nd'egger

Paulw wrote: »

Whatever about the number of plates, I certainly think that the Gardai should very much enfore the rules of the road towards taxi drivers, especially relating to driving offences and parking offences.

It always seems that there is one law for taxi drivers, and one for everyone else. I've no sympathy for taxi drivers who don't obey the laws.

I never noticed that the road traffic laws didn't apply to taxis; no more red lights for me

Ham'nd'egger

Spook_ie wrote: »

Would only help at night times though, but then again at night times you have maybe twice as many taxis operating and at weekends when the part timers comeout maybe 3 or 4 times as many...maybe we should ask for more loading bays:)

Seriously though, heres an even easier solution, just to keep all you nice car drivers happy!, ban all cars from city centre or introduce a whacking big congestion charge , then get the taxis to actualy be part of the public transport by introducing a flat rate for journeys within the city center/congestion zone of say €3 and metered after leaving the zone, feasable...yes, practical...yes, enviromentaly sensitive...yes, cycle friendly....that would be debatable, considering how cyclists and taxi drivers often view each other Jeez just thought we could knock down a whole load of empty apartment complexes and industrial units and have park n ride for those lucky enuff to still have a job.....this could be a runner, must email the greeparty with a properly formatted email....

Better solution; declare the thoroughfare from Camden Street to Dame Street one big taxi rank each way from 8PM till 4AM. That way the whole area will be full of taxis, all patiently waiting one behind another in the queue waiting for their turn to move forward to get passengers.

Oh wait a second...:rolleyes:

Zamboni

kearnsr wrote: »

People who go into the taxi industry must realise it is a business decsion to do so and must accept the risk (as well as the reward) assoicated with it.

Thank you. This is a point that people completely forget.

godtabh

Zamboni wrote: »

Thank you. This is a point that people completely forget.

People blame every one else but themselfs for the decions they make. Its the world we live in

Jip

So if this down turn continues, I take it that there'll be lots more people competing for the same job. I propose that the government immeditately introduce a quota on the number of people allowed in the country to be of a certain profession.

If they don't I expect protests to the dail over this. Or at least compensate those who have spent years studying in college in a certain field and are now no longer able to get a job in that field.

Taxipete29

kearnsr wrote: »

Taxi infrastructure is a limite resource. People who go into the taxi industry must realise it is a business decsion to do so and must accept the risk (as well as the reward) assoicated with it.

If that means driving around while looking for a spot at a rank well thats what has to be done.

Taxis have the right to a space in a rank but not to block other road users

Most of us do realise that and nobody is looking for a hand out. We are simply asking the government to step in and sort out the mess they created. People seem to forget that very few indurtries pay the bulk of their start up costs to the government. Taxis do.

I agree the Gardai need to control illegal parking and road offences for ALL road users. What about people who use bus lanes illegally?? Cycle couries who jump lights and cycle on the path???? Trucks that park illegally while doing deliveries????

Paulw

Taxipete29 wrote: »

What about people who use bus lanes illegally?? Cycle couries who jump lights and cycle on the path???? Trucks that park illegally while doing deliveries????

They all deserve to be prosecuted.

But again, anyone can setup a shop or business. It's a fact of life/business that the environment changes. No taxi driver was complaining when the taxi industry was regulated so strictly that there were so few taxis on the road. When times boom, people make the most of it.

Now, times are harder. Many business will go out of business because their industry is over saturated, or their margins are too low. This applies to the building trade, to furniture manufacturers/retailers, to high street stores, and also to taxi drivers.

Welcome to the real world, where no one's job/industry is secure and safe. If it is not profitable to be a taxi driver, maybe it's time to look at another career??

godtabh

Taxipete29 wrote: »

Most of us do realise that and nobody is looking for a hand out. We are simply asking the government to step in and sort out the mess they created. People seem to forget that very few indurtries pay the bulk of their start up costs to the government. Taxis do.

I agree the Gardai need to control illegal parking and road offences for ALL road users. What about people who use bus lanes illegally?? Cycle couries who jump lights and cycle on the path???? Trucks that park illegally while doing deliveries????

so why can’t you act in a legal manner while it is sorted out?

Whats the fact that you have to pay your start up costs to the government? People pay start up costs. It’s a business world out there.

Taxipete29

Paulw wrote: »

They all deserve to be prosecuted.

But again, anyone can setup a shop or business. It's a fact of life/business that the environment changes. No taxi driver was complaining when the taxi industry was regulated so strictly that there were so few taxis on the road. When times boom, people make the most of it.

Now, times are harder. Many business will go out of business because their industry is over saturated, or their margins are too low. This applies to the building trade, to furniture manufacturers/retailers, to high street stores, and also to taxi drivers.

Welcome to the real world, where no one's job/industry is secure and safe. If it is not profitable to be a taxi driver, maybe it's time to look at another career??

You might want to check your facts a little before you post.

There was only 2000 drivers in Dublin before deregulation, most of those are not even still driving. The government kept the industry regulated that tight. The drivers wanted it that way but since when does everyone get what they want from the government.

The industry was deregulated just before the boom and at the height of the boom most drivers were beginning to feel the pinch, long before most ordinary workers were.

Taxis are a public service regulated(or not) by the government. You probably have no clue as to the services provided by taxis in this country. Do you have any idea of the numbers of old people who rely on taxis?? Do you realise that the HSE probably has the biggest taxi bill as we are used to bring people to appointments and also to transpot blood and sometimes light equipment?? Why, because we are fast and reliable and in alot of cases cheaper than couriers

confused-dazed

Taxipete29 wrote: »

I agree the Gardai need to control illegal parking and road offences for ALL road users. What about people who use bus lanes illegally??

i assume you also mean doing the majority of taxi's that use bus lanes illeaglly as well? i stand corrected but aren't taxi's only supposed to use bus lanes when they have a fare or on a call out. not when they're looking for fares, bringing their kids to and from school or bringing the misses shopping? i have seen all this happen on a daily occurance by the way

Taxipete29

kearnsr wrote: »

so why can’t you act in a legal manner while it is sorted out?

Whats the fact that you have to pay your start up costs to the government? People pay start up costs. It’s a business world out there.

Excuse me I do so dont tell me I not acting in a legal manner when you have no clue. Im not responsible for what other drivers do. I speak for myself.

They sell you a franchise to operate a taxi and then dont provide adequate space for you to operate in. There is no comparable industry in this country and I dont understand why people keep comparing it to shopkeepers and builders and IT staff. Its different. Yes its a business, and none of us mind working hard, but the industry must be regulated proplerly to allow people provide a proper service for the public and we cant do that if we cant make money.

paulm17781

Taxipete29 wrote: »

Do you have any idea of the numbers of old people who rely on taxis?? Do you realise that the HSE probably has the biggest taxi bill as we are used to bring people to appointments and also to transpot blood and sometimes light equipment?? Why, because we are fast and reliable and in alot of cases cheaper than couriers

Are these not all reasons to have a heavy taxi presence?

Spook_ie

confused-dazed wrote: »

i assume you also mean doing the majority of taxi's that use bus lanes illeaglly as well? i stand corrected but aren't taxi's only supposed to use bus lanes when they have a fare or on a call out. not when they're looking for fares, bringing their kids to and from school or bringing the misses shopping? i have seen all this happen on a daily occurance by the way

No, taxis are allowed to use bus lanes when they are plying for hire, can you imagine the carnage if taxis plying for hire had to cut accross the buses into the bus lane whenever they see a potential passenger... ( not to say that some don't already do that anyway ) as to taking the kids to school or taking the misses shopping what proof do you have they aren't actaly fares, I have a regular fare to the local school (when the parents are working the "wrong" shift ) and they pay for the service....

Taxipete29

confused-dazed wrote: »

i assume you also mean doing the majority of taxi's that use bus lanes illeaglly as well? i stand corrected but aren't taxi's only supposed to use bus lanes when they have a fare or on a call out. not when they're looking for fares, bringing their kids to and from school or bringing the misses shopping? i have seen all this happen on a daily occurance by the way

If im working it means Im conducting business even if I havent got a fare in the car which entitles me to use to bus lane, as for the other part Im not gonna say I dont use them when Im not working because I do but this is rare enough.
I think however vehicles that have no business at any time being in bus lanes is a bigger issue, as are all the other road traffic offences commited by people, including taxi drivers

Taxipete29

paulm17781 wrote: »

Are these not all reasons to have a heavy taxi presence?

We do have one, we dont need any more. All these services were being provided for two years ago when there was 5 or 6 thousand less cars on the road.

godtabh

Taxipete29 wrote: »

Excuse me I do so dont tell me I not acting in a legal manner when you have no clue. Im not responsible for what other drivers do. I speak for myself.

They sell you a franchise to operate a taxi and then dont provide adequate space for you to operate in. There is no comparable industry in this country and I dont understand why people keep comparing it to shopkeepers and builders and IT staff. Its different. Yes its a business, and none of us mind working hard, but the industry must be regulated proplerly to allow people provide a proper service for the public and we cant do that if we cant make money.

Why can’t you, as in the taxi driver public, not act in a legal manner. I was talking in general terms.

They sell you a franchise. They don’t guarantee you work they don’t guarantee you rank space. You take the risk in this

There is plenty of roads around that you can drive when there is no space at a rank to let you be hailed down by some one

Spook_ie

kearnsr wrote: »

Why can’t you, as in the taxi driver public, not act in a legal manner. I was talking in general terms.

They sell you a franchise. They don’t guarantee you work they don’t guarantee you rank space. You take the risk in this

There is plenty of roads around that you can drive when there is no space at a rank to let you be hailed down by a taxi.

Would to you like try again that !:cool:

Taxipete29

kearnsr wrote: »

Why can’t you, as in the taxi driver public, not act in a legal manner. I was talking in general terms.

They sell you a franchise. They don’t guarantee you work they don’t guarantee you rank space. You take the risk in this

There is plenty of roads around that you can drive when there is no space at a rank to let you be hailed down by a taxi.

I am not the "taxi driver public" I am one driver. If you want to speak in general terms why not say " Why cant all taxi drivers etc" You make your point better and dont insult people.

No they dont guarantee work but are you honestly sitting there and telling me their is no onus on them to provide more than 600 rank spaces when they are pushing 300 new taxis a week onto the road????????

If you drive down any road in Dublin you can be sure there are at least 4 taxis ahead of you. We cant all get work from the side of the road, added to that it would never be economical for a taxi to be constantly driving around looking for work.

Paulw

Taxipete29 wrote: »

They sell you a franchise to operate a taxi and then dont provide adequate space for you to operate in. There is no comparable industry in this country and I dont understand why people keep comparing it to shopkeepers and builders and IT staff. Its different. Yes its a business, and none of us mind working hard, but the industry must be regulated proplerly to allow people provide a proper service for the public and we cant do that if we cant make money.

Hold on a second. It is a business, like any other business. You go in to business at your own risk. Every business should consider good and bad times.

You are no more guaranteed work than any other industry. Hell, I just found out that the company I work for is letting go 300 staff in the coming weeks.

So, why shouldn't people compare you to shopkeepers, builders or IT staff? You're self employed. You decided to become a taxi driver. You decided that you could make a living from it. No one forced you in to it.

When too many people take on any type of work, the industry becomes over saturated. That's life. So, taxi drivers need to work out how best they can make money, and stop blaming the govt.

Mr. Presentable

Is there not a difference between parking and stopping? The difference being between "double yellows" and "clearway" As I understand it you may stop on a double yellow, but not park. Parking being defined as leaving an empty car.

Maybe I'm way off, but I think no offence is caused by taxi drivers stopping on double yellows.

Taxipete29

Paulw wrote: »

Hold on a second. It is a business, like any other business. You go in to business at your own risk. Every business should consider good and bad times.

You are no more guaranteed work than any other industry. Hell, I just found out that the company I work for is letting go 300 staff in the coming weeks.

So, why shouldn't people compare you to shopkeepers, builders or IT staff? You're self employed. You decided to become a taxi driver. You decided that you could make a living from it. No one forced you in to it.

When too many people take on any type of work, the industry becomes over saturated. That's life. So, taxi drivers need to work out how best they can make money, and stop blaming the govt.

We know how we can make money. I would gladly stick advertising on my car for reduced fares. IM NOT ALLOWED. This is the governments fault. I could pull up at an aircoach stop and offer to take 4 people for €5 each. IM NOT ALLOWED. Thats the governments fault.

The government doesnt regulate any other industry like it does the Taxi industry thats how it is different. You dont need to pay €6500 to the government to operate as a shopkeeper, builder or work in IT. How can you keep saying its the same, when even the Dail commitee on Public Transport has come out and said we need stop handing out licences

Paulw

Taxipete29 wrote: »

We know how we can make money. I would gladly stick advertising on my car for reduced fares. IM NOT ALLOWED. This is the governments fault. I could pull up at an aircoach stop and offer to take 4 people for €5 each. IM NOT ALLOWED. Thats the governments fault.

Wasn't there a taxi driver protest saying that they wanted FARES INCREASED when fuel prices went up? I seem to also remember other taxi driver protests about fare rates being too low and wanting increases.

Again, why do you blame a government about YOUR choice of business? If it is not profitable for you, then why not look for another way to earn a living? That's what the rest of us have to do.

oisindoyle

markpb wrote: »

I agree 100% with taxi drivers and their current protest but there's no way anyone can defend the attitude most (not all) taxi drivers (in Dublin anyway) have towards road offences. It doesn't matter if the taxi rank is too small, you cannot ignore the double yellow lines, pedestrian crossing, cycle paths, junctions or bus stops to make it longer to suit you.

The DB stop outside Connolly station has been taken out of service because the taxi drivers block it every morning and every evening. Ten or more taxies park in the 3 space taxi rank beside dear old Molly at College Green - they go so far back along the double yellow lines, they reduce the road to one lane back at the pedestrian corner.

Frankly, I can't understand why the Gardai have been so lax about giving out to taxi drivers.

The Gardai havent been lax about this situation .Daily they give out fines to driver who are simply trying to go about their daily work .The problem is too many taxis and not enough rank spaces .The regulator is giving out new licences DAILY and NOT providing extra rank spaces ..Is that logical or fair????
What else are drivers suppose to do ,the cant keep driving around the city ...Its like an office worker being told tomorrow there will be 10 people doing your job .Sitting on the one seat useing the one desk useing the one computer ....Its an impossible situation

godtabh

Taxipete29 wrote: »

If you drive down any road in Dublin you can be sure there are at least 4 taxis ahead of you. We cant all get work from the side of the road, added to that it would never be economical for a taxi to be constantly driving around looking for work.

If I put out a tender for a job there will be other companies involved. I may then decide to either focus on a different area or wait it out.

The taxi driver public in general and in my opinion seem to think that having plate allows them to demand whatever they want be either fare increases, more ranks or whatever and they can act in any manner they see fit (blocking lanes, illegal parking etc) because it’s the governments fault they bought a plate.

I could become a BRE assessor tomorrow. I'd have to pay about €1k to sign up the SEI. There isn’t an awful lot of work there. I won’t be signing up and then expecting that the SEI give me work with suitable conditions just because I paid them my €1k

godtabh

oisindoyle wrote: »

What else are drivers suppose to do ,the cant keep driving around the city

Isnt that what taxt drivers do?

jack90210

What's all this moaning about not enough ranks? Customers don't even use ranks anymore. If I ever need a taxi I usually just walk right outside stick out my hand and I have one (or maybe two or three) within a minute! Seems like the rank arguement might be just taxi drivers looking for a free place to take a rest. Go and pay for parking if you need to take a break is what I say.