Taxis face licensing crackdown in ‘radical’ reform plan

An Udaras

THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced detailed plans to reform the taxi industry, including a crackdown on renting out licenses and part-time drivers.
Minister for public transport Alan Kelly said the measures constituted “the most radical examination of the taxi sector in Ireland ever”.
Under the proposals, it will no longer be possible to for the owner of a taxi license to hire it out to others for use on their own car. Licenses will be ‘tethered’ to vehicles and insurance, and the owner will have responsibility for their operation at all times.
The review was announced in the wake of a Prime Time programme which showed owners of multiple taxi licenses putting them out for hire. It also exposed an individual who worked 17-hour days as both a bus and taxi driver, raising fears for his passengers’ safety.
The report details plans to reduce double-jobbing among taxi drivers by forcing part-time drivers to declare their taxi license to their primary employer.
Minister Kelly said the review was designed “to increase consumer confidence in the sector and eliminate the rogue elements,” as well ensuring that legitimate drivers are “rewarded fairly.” He added:  “We want it to be a sector worth working in again.”
Demand for taxis plummeted by 33.4 per cent between 2008 and 2011, the review found.


Other key measures include:
Legislation to provide for the “mandatory disqualification” from the taxi industry of anyone convicted of serious criminal offences.

A smartphone app to allow customers to check whether their taxi and driver are properly licensed.

A system by which drivers could be made to re-sit ‘knowledge’ tests if three complaints are received against them.

Freezing the transfer of taxi licenses, so they cannot be sold on.

Measures to allow gardaí to issue fixed-penalty charges for small infringements, without going to court.

Changing the design and form of roof signs, to restrict their availability.

Courtesy of the Jounal.ie

I Think it's good to see a shake up in the industry, to many loopholes at the moment. Increased enforcement is also a welcome addition..

foggy_lad

Freezing the transfer/sale of licences wont go down very well with taxi drivers. expect blockades on O'Connell street and on the M50:D

Run_to_da_hills

foggy_lad wrote: »

Freezing the transfer/sale of licences wont go down very well with taxi drivers. expect blockades on O'Connell street and on the M50:D

We get a blockade down O'Connell St most weekend nights so what odds will this make.

wexford12

I would welcome the rule that a plate cannot be sold as it is they are worth nothing but still can't be claimed against your tax return as its seen the eye of revenue an asset "Rubbish" asset if you ask me ..

Cookie_Monster

Under the proposals, it will no longer be possible to for the owner of a taxi license to hire it out to others for use on their own car. Licenses will be ‘tethered’ to vehicles and insurance, and the owner will have responsibility for their operation at all times.

So how does that work for 'Taxi Co LTD'? Can they not own the cars and have employees drive them?

Nothing about fleet or colour standardisation once agin, pity.

foggy_lad

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

So how does that work for 'Taxi Co LTD'? Can they not own the cars and have employees drive them?

Nothing about fleet or colour standardisation once agin, pity.

The licence will be tied to one vehicle and insurance so if you want to rent you must rent the whole package and you as owner are responsible for making sure the hirer is insured and properly licensed and you will also be liable for anything the hirer does like ripping people off etc.

Dai John

Yes, but the up side to all you rural punters is that there will be a special rural hackney licence. The publicans will be able to run you around for half nothing,( when it suits them). The only down side will be that the rural bus scheme will lose it's subsidy and your local taxi /hackney will not be able to survive and then you will really be isolated. Still the publican will drive you to his pub, keep you all hours before taking you home and turn you into an alcoholic, but hey you will be too pissed to know the difference .

steph1

Dai John wrote: »

Yes, but the up side to all you rural punters is that there will be a special rural hackney licence. The publicans will be able to run you around for half nothing,( when it suits them). The only down side will be that the rural bus scheme will lose it's subsidy and your local taxi /hackney will not be able to survive and then you will really be isolated. Still the publican will drive you to his pub, keep you all hours before taking you home and turn you into an alcoholic, but hey you will be too pissed to know the difference .

:D:D