Driver Check - lets taxi users check their driver

lil5

New App lets taxi users check their driver - NTA -
http://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/new-app-lets-taxi-users-check-their-driver/

(called 'Driver Check' in Google Play Android store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.osds.cabs2&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5vc2RzLmNhYnMyIl0. )

New App lets taxi users check their driver

28/02/13

Minister Alan Kelly today launched a new Taxi Driver Check Smartphone App, devised by the National Transport Authority.

The App allows a passenger to check the licence details of both the vehicle and the driver, and to see an ID photo of the authorised driver.

The passenger is then able to simply forward these details (minus the photo) to a friend – all of which will reassure taxi customers that they are travelling safely, and that there is a record of their trip.

mtjm

Already a topic discussed

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056891824

MODS: feel free to close this or combine to this thread

coylemj

mtjm wrote: »

Already a topic discussed

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056891824

MODS: feel free to close this or combine to this thread

Preferably the second option above, a thread in this forum should never be closed in preference to one in After Hours which is a graveyard for oddball threads and insomniac posters.

Feedback from Android users say that the app only works in Wi-Fi mode, it won't use a 3G connection so at the moment it looks like it's pretty useless for people on the move.

Edit: just tested it on my Android phone, it won't work with a 3G connection, will only use Wi-Fi! Clearly the developers didn't bother setting foot outdoors to test it!

Cookie_Monster

Just need it to cover bus and taxi drivers now...

There is no reason to close or merge this with an AH thread, different fora different pov and attitudes.

foggy_lad

About time this was rolled out, now at least taxi users can find out if the taxi driver is legitimate, maybe the same type of data should be made available for their cars as some of them are just sh1theaps.

Where To

foggy_lad wrote: »

About time this was rolled out, now at least taxi users can find out if the taxi driver is legitimate, maybe the same type of data should be made available for their cars as some of them are just sh1theaps.

The vehicle's licence, reg, make/model, colour and licence expiry date are all shown also

coylemj

coylemj wrote: »

Feedback from Android users say that the app only works in Wi-Fi mode, it won't use a 3G connection so at the moment it looks like it's pretty useless for people on the move.

Edit: just tested it on my Android phone, it won't work with a 3G connection, will only use Wi-Fi! Clearly the developers didn't bother setting foot outdoors to test it!

I just checked it on an old Android (HTC Desire) and the 3G connection does work so for what it's worth, it does not work on 3G on a Samsung S3 Mini running 4.1.1

Polar101

What would the purpose of this app be? Check the details and compare it with what you see in the taxi?

coylemj

Polar101 wrote: »

What would the purpose of this app be? Check the details and compare it with what you see in the taxi?

Yes, and for personal security you can register the e-mail address of a friend and they will be informed that you have boarded that specific taxi if you click the appropriate option.

Actually you are required (I think it should be optional) to register a second e-mail address for that purpose, as well as your own e-mail address which they will use if they need to communicate with you.

rameire

coylemj wrote: »

Preferably the second option above, a thread in this forum should never be closed in preference to one in After Hours which is a graveyard for oddball threads and insomniac posters.

Feedback from Android users say that the app only works in Wi-Fi mode, it won't use a 3G connection so at the moment it looks like it's pretty useless for people on the move.

Edit: just tested it on my Android phone, it won't work with a 3G connection, will only use Wi-Fi! Clearly the developers didn't bother setting foot outdoors to test it!

I tested it on an Android Galaxy S3, at 5pm today and it worked on 3G.

Del2005

coylemj wrote: »

Actually you are required (I think it should be optional) to register a second e-mail address for that purpose, as well as your own e-mail address which they will use if they need to communicate with you.

Yeah that's a bit silly having to nominate a 2nd email address. I just set it up with a different address I have.

coylemj

Del2005 wrote: »

Yeah that's a bit silly having to nominate a 2nd email address. I just set it up with a different address I have.

I did the same but it should be an optional field.

howiya

Del2005 wrote: »

Yeah that's a bit silly having to nominate a 2nd email address. I just set it up with a different address I have.

Who'd know you got that taxi if you went on the missing list then? Girls could stick in their mother's email address or some other relative...

Cookie_Monster

This aps seems more appropriate for somewhere like Mexico city, is there really a need for it in Ireland?

expectationlost

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2013/0228/breaking42.html

they claim to be the source of the official information but only have 70% of the drivers ?

coylemj

howiya wrote: »

Who'd know you got that taxi if you went on the missing list then? Girls could stick in their mother's email address or some other relative...

I and the other poster aren't asking for that feature to be removed, simply that the second e-mail address be optional rather than mandatory. I can see the use for it but I don't need it because if I went missing nobody would give a XXXX.

Where To

expectationlost wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2013/0228/breaking42.html

they claim to be the source of the official information but only have 70% of the drivers ?

It means only 70% of drivers have registered their details of what car they are driving at any given time.

Fighting Irish

mtjm wrote: »

Already a topic discussed

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056891824

MODS: feel free to close this or combine to this thread

:pac:

Del2005

howiya wrote: »

Who'd know you got that taxi if you went on the missing list then? Girls could stick in their mother's email address or some other relative...

As said it should be optional, it's a good security feature for people who want it but I don't want or need it. I could just as easily go on the missing list when I'm driving or walking.

Where To wrote: »

It means only 70% of drivers have registered their details of what car they are driving at any given time.

My understanding was only 70% are registered so far. So if you go to get into a cab and it doesn't have the QR code on the windows go to a different cab that has the QR code, if your that worried about it.

Where To

Del2005 wrote: »

As said it should be optional, it's a good security feature for people who want it but I don't want or need it. I could just as easily go on the missing list when I'm driving or walking.




My understanding was only 70% are registered so far. So if you go to get into a cab and it doesn't have the QR code on the windows go to a different cab that has the QR code, if your that worried about it.

Not exactly, the car will have the QR code if it has been licenced as an SPSV. This is a new initiative to tie the car with the driver, so that when you scan the QR code, (or type in the reg number, plate number, or driver ID number), you should get all the licence details of car and driver. If these are incorrect, there is an option to report the taxi to the NTA. There is also the option to email yhe details of the taxi you are in to a friend or relative.

If you type in the reg or plate number and no information is registered, report the vehicle and don't get into it.

expectationlost

Where To wrote: »

It means only 70% of drivers have registered their details of what car they are driving at any given time.

yeah i still don't quite get that

here's a podcast with alan kelly Government launches new taxi app >> http://media.todayfm.com/podcast/71817 @cooper_m

he explains how people who rent or have rented out cars will update their details in real time, still doesn't make sense that they have 70% of the info...

never used hailo or any of those apps, do they that info too, a pic of driver his details etc?

Where To

expectationlost wrote: »

yeah i still don't quite get that

here's a podcast with alan kelly Government launches new taxi app >> http://media.todayfm.com/podcast/71817 @cooper_m

he explains how people who rent or have rented out cars will update their details in real time, still doens't make sense that they have 70% of the info...

never used hailo or any of those apps, do they that info too, a pic of driver his details etc?

They would have his photograph and car reg I think, but they are a private enterprise.

The NTA app covers all SPSVs, including limos and taxis.

expectationlost

Where To wrote: »

They would have his photograph and car reg I think, but they are a private enterprise.

The NTA app covers all SPSVs, including limos and taxis.

yeah but thats my point the nta taxi authority is the source of all that info and so should have everyone registered with their details, i don't know how they don't.

Where To

expectationlost wrote: »

yeah but that my point the nta taxi authority is the source of all that info and so should have everyone registered with their details, i don't know how they don't.

Yeah the NTA have all the details of all the licenced vehicles, and details of all the licenced drivers, the purpose of this is to tie the information together, to ensure that a licenced vehicle is being operated by a licenced driver.

lost marbles

Where To wrote: »

If you type in the reg or plate number and no information is registered, report the vehicle and don't get into it.

ive registered before the 31st deadline and ive spoken to other drivers who have done the same and their details as mine aswell dont come up on the app .
so what i can see here is that the NTA pushed this app out before they have it fully working .and now the pitchfork brigade are out scaremongering .

expectationlost

Where To wrote: »

Yeah the NTA have all the details of all the licenced vehicles, and details of all the licenced drivers, the purpose of this is to tie the information together, to ensure that a licenced vehicle is being operated by a licenced driver.

still don't know how they don't have the information tied together already

coylemj

lost marbles wrote: »

ive registered before the 31st deadline and ive spoken to other drivers who have done the same and their details as mine aswell dont come up on the app .
so what i can see here is that the NTA pushed this app out before they have it fully working .and now the pitchfork brigade are out scaremongering .

The minister probably got itchy feet and couldn't wait to get his photo in the papers launching the app. The junior minister slot in Transport is a honey pot for gimmicky publicity stunts, Ivor Callely made it his speciality.

Wouldn't be the first time civil servants were railroaded into launching a service before it was ready because of an impatient minister.

Where To

expectationlost wrote: »

still don't know how they don't have the information tied together already

Well, drivers employed by a firm don't drive the same car all yhe time, drivers that rent taxis can be in different cars, drivers whose own cars are off the road drive a replacement. In short, the NTA haven't a ****ing clue who is driving what.

Now the onus is on the driver to provide those details, and the onus on the public to detect and report those that don't comply.

expectationlost

Where To wrote: »

Well, drivers employed by a firm don't drive the same car all yhe time, drivers that rent taxis can be in different cars, drivers whose own cars are off the road drive a replacement. In short, the NTA haven't a ****ing clue who is driving what.

Now the onus is on the driver to provide those details, and the onus on the public to detect and report those that don't comply.

ok how does the driver provide those details to the nta?

foggy_lad

expectationlost wrote: »

ok how does the driver provide those details to the nta?

When a driver provides their details or applies to update details if they have to change car temporarily after breakdown etc how quickly are the Quango going to validate and update the news details???

expectationlost

foggy_lad wrote: »

When a driver provides their details or applies to update details if they have to change car temporarily after breakdown etc how quickly are the Quango going to validate and update the news details???

well listen to the jnr minister in the podcast link http://t.co/l4MFGBOYxN talking about how its "realtime", do the drivers/operators ring somebody up in the nta? or what, i mean if drivers are swapping cars nightly?

Where To

expectationlost wrote: »

well listen to the jnr minister in the podcast link http://t.co/l4MFGBOYxN talking about how its "realtime", do the drivers/operators ring somebody up in the nta? or what, i mean if drivers are swapping cars nightly?

Yeah, they can either ring or there is a 'taxi portal' app that lets you update what vehicle you are operating and how long you will be operating it for.

I was just putting diesel in a car that is licenced as a small public service vehicle in my name, insured as a small public service vehicle in my name, and taxed as a small public service in my name, but I am still breaking the law because I have someone else registered on the app to drive it. (I was on UK signal at the time so changing the details for the 15 minutes it took to do this would be far more costly than the €40 fine I have risked.)

But don't worry, I have reported myself to the NTA and await their reply.:pac:

expectationlost

ah here some details this industry app was started last year http://irishtaxi.org/forum/index.php?topic=22234.0

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2013021200082

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/taxi-industry-portal/id590676209?mt=8
https://taxi.nationaltransport.ie/


i guess temporary changes account for some of the missing info, but still ?

this app is meant to reassure public but the minister goes then tells the public they don't have 30% of the info which just begs concern

do commerical taxi apps have api access to this nta database?

funny review on the taxi check app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.osds.cabs2

Spook_ie

Where To wrote: »

Yeah, they can either ring or there is a 'taxi portal' app that lets you update what vehicle you are operating and how long you will be operating it for.

I was just putting diesel in a car that is licenced as a small public service vehicle in my name, insured as a small public service vehicle in my name, and taxed as a small public service in my name, but I am still breaking the law because I have someone else registered on the app to drive it. (I was on UK signal at the time so changing the details for the 15 minutes it took to do this would be far more costly than the €40 fine I have risked.)

But don't worry, I have reported myself to the NTA and await their reply.:pac:

You would only have been breaking the law if you were plying for hire

expectationlost

update on this app http://www.transportforireland.ie/taxi/taxi-driver-check/ use and cost by Mark Tighe and Stephen O'Brien 'Agency spends €434,000 on app to monitor taxis' http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/ireland/article1420066.ece

its not clear in the article but the cost includes the taxi industry portal app where taximen update their details https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.osds.cabs2.industry or they can use another company that delas with taxi men who prefer to use the phone the old way

may be part of or as follow on of this NTA awards €1.4m software deal to Open Sky Data http://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/item/28762-nta-awards-1-4m-software-d

the web version isn't working for me http://www.transportforireland.ie/taxi/check-if-a-taxi-driver-is-properly-licensed/ not everything has to be an 'app' hmm maybe becuase of complaints from drivers see here http://irishtaxi.org/forum/index.php/topic,23436.30.html

talking to taximen says the web version was taken down because as it wasn't connected to people phones they deemed it open to anonymous abuse of false reporting, of course we all know that the anonymity of the web is exaggerated, but maybe people could make false reports at web cafes and it would take longer to track down..., still not everyone has a smartphone, they could keep the check part and remove the report button and leave a phone number.

expectationlost

this system isn't the first registration with the regulator its the daily changes of who driving which car i wonder if the hailo and other similar apps are hooked into to it?

expectationlost

Taxi drivers say transport authorities put them at risk http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/taxi-drivers-say-transport-authorities-put-them-at-risk-1.1888404
Representatives claim release of home addresses leaves them open to violent attacks (and then gives examples that don't back up that point)

....you can get a taxi operators address with €25

is the listing of sole traders address so strange?


Section 38 of the Taxi Regulation Act
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2003/en/act/pub/0025/sec0038.html

this issue coming up in america http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/neil-mitchell-blog/taxi-register-confusion-clarified/20140723-3ceuo.html they suggest they but down their accountants address

expectationlost

tommy Broughan asking Dail Question about this

https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2014-10-16a.632&s=tabular#g636.q

asked whether he thinks its right that its possible home addresses of taxi men are available after €25 fee

This is a typical legal provision relating to the regulation of business which is designed to promote transparency in terms of licensed and unlicensed operators. I am not aware that this provision creates particular difficulties in the SPSV industry that outweigh these transparency benefits.

asked how many times the information was accessed and Mnister says he'll get the NTA to tell him

if you going to target a business person is it really going to taxi man? is there really a possibility they'd have that much money on them, all the attacks and robberies they suffered seem to be sponstaneous

Losty Dublin

expectationlost wrote: »

if you going to target a business person is it really going to taxi man? is there really a possibility they'd have that much money on them, all the attacks and robberies they suffered seem to be sponstaneous

After a weekend a taxi driver will have a few hundred euro cash to hand which can't be lodged into a bank until Monday at the earliest; longer if it's a holiday weekend. I know a driver friend who had a chancer try his house one night years ago assuming there was loose cash to be had. Granted it is a small risk that a gouger will use it to source larceny locations but it's one that is made a little easier through a state register that isn't really benefiting anybody by being there.

As a side note, the majority of hold ups tend to be planned and follow a set plan of action. Most astute drivers know what to look out for from the get go; some of the greener lads aren't as wise

L1011

That putting in an FOI request leaves a very obvious record is one reason people won't be doing that.

expectationlost

Losty Dublin wrote: »

After a weekend a taxi driver will have a few hundred euro cash to hand which can't be lodged into a bank until Monday at the earliest; longer if it's a holiday weekend. I know a driver friend who had a chancer try his house one night years ago assuming there was loose cash to be had. Granted it is a small risk that a gouger will use it to source larceny locations but it's one that is made a little easier through a state register that isn't really benefiting anybody by being there.

how does he know he was targeted because he was taximan?

what 'gouger' is going go to the offices and pay 25 quid and get names and then rob those addresses???

and anybody who serious about robbing businessmen I've only read of them targetting people for 1000s if not 10,000s of Euros.

I think you can get the information from the council or gardai or perhaps the courts http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2003/en/act/pub/0025/sec0038.html

Losty Dublin wrote: »

a state register that isn't really benefiting anybody by being there.

Licensed businesses need addresses, thats the benefit.

As a side note, the majority of hold ups tend to be planned and follow a set plan of action. Most astute drivers know what to look out for from the get go; some of the greener lads aren't as wise [/QUOTE]

are these hold ups targetting specific taximen?

again there is no evidence that anybody has ever used this to rob taximen.

hfallada

Losty Dublin wrote: »

After a weekend a taxi driver will have a few hundred euro cash to hand which can't be lodged into a bank until Monday at the earliest; longer if it's a holiday weekend. I know a driver friend who had a chancer try his house one night years ago assuming there was loose cash to be had. Granted it is a small risk that a gouger will use it to source larceny locations but it's one that is made a little easier through a state register that isn't really benefiting anybody by being there.

As a side note, the majority of hold ups tend to be planned and follow a set plan of action. Most astute drivers know what to look out for from the get go; some of the greener lads aren't as wise

Well AIB offer lobby banking from about 8am to 10pm 7 days a week. You can lodge money directly into your account between those times with just your ATM Card. There is no need for any one to store cash until they go to the teller on a Monday morning, as you can do it on a machine.

Why would someone go the extremes of breaking and entering, researching a taxi man for a few hundred euro, when they can easily rob a €600 mobile off on the streets with no effort at all.

Spook_ie

I think the real question is why? If you have a complaint about the taxi/driver you give it to the NTA, if you need to find a taxi (for arguments sake) involved in an accident you go to Garda, I can not actually think of a circumstance where you would need to actually obtain the address of a taxi driver under FOI, so why allow it?

expectationlost

Spook_ie wrote: »

I think the real question is why? If you have a complaint about the taxi/driver you give it to the NTA, if you need to find a taxi (for arguments sake) involved in an accident you go to Garda, I can not actually think of a circumstance where you would need to actually obtain the address of a taxi driver under FOI, so why allow it?

its not under FOI, its under license.

Spook_ie

expectationlost wrote: »

its not under FOI, its under license.

Whether it's FOI or license is there any circumstance that you can think of where the home address of a taxi driver would/should be required? I can't

As said before if it's complaints you deal direct with the NTA, if it's legal you deal with the GS

Losty Dublin

hfallada wrote: »

Well AIB offer lobby banking from about 8am to 10pm 7 days a week. You can lodge money directly into your account between those times with just your ATM Card. There is no need for any one to store cash until they go to the teller on a Monday morning, as you can do it on a machine.

Why would someone go the extremes of breaking and entering, researching a taxi man for a few hundred euro, when they can easily rob a €600 mobile off on the streets with no effort at all.

Good news for those who aren't AIB customers, isn't it?

expectationlost

nature of the information contained on the online SPSV register maintained by the National Transport Authority https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2014-10-16a.632&s=tabular#g636.q where is it?

this http://www.transportforireland.ie/taxi/check-if-a-taxi-driver-is-properly-licensed/ what info does it show about a driver?

Spook_ie

expectationlost wrote: »

nature of the information contained on the online SPSV register maintained by the National Transport Authority https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2014-10-16a.632&s=tabular#g636.q where is it?

this http://www.transportforireland.ie/taxi/check-if-a-taxi-driver-is-properly-licensed/ what info does it show about a driver?

Name address etc. Sort of stuff that phishing emails start looking for identity theft

expectationlost

Spook_ie wrote: »

Name address etc. Sort of stuff that phishing emails start looking for identity theft

really did you enter a number, I've no number to check what information comes back

Spook_ie

expectationlost wrote: »

really did you enter a number, I've no number to check what information comes back

Sorry, my misunderstanding.

The driver check app only provides details of which vehicle the driver is attached to, or if the vehicle is a registered taxi, dependant on if you put a driver number, plate number or registration number.

The SPSV driver records contain much more information, including home address, telephone contact number, pps number, tax clearance state, photographs, expirary dates etc.

I've never felt the need to spend €25 to find out which information they hand out, but AFAIK your home address is one of them


EDIT

your link comes up

This Connection is Untrusted

You have asked Firefox to connect securely to publicregister.nationaltransport.ie, but we can't confirm that your connection is secure.

Normally, when you try to connect securely, sites will present trusted identification to prove that you are going to the right place. However, this site's identity can't be verified.
What Should I Do?

If you usually connect to this site without problems, this error could mean that someone is trying to impersonate the site, and you shouldn't continue.

publicregister.nationaltransport.ie uses an invalid security certificate. The certificate is not trusted because no issuer chain was provided. (Error code: sec_error_unknown_issuer)

expectationlost

Spook_ie wrote: »

Whether it's FOI or license is there any circumstance that you can think of where the home address of a taxi driver would/should be required? I can't

you don't think business addresses should be available? even with a fee?