Why are Taxis allowed to use bus lanes?

patrickpc · 21-05-2014 04:46PM #1

When did society decide that Taxis should be allowed to use bus lanes?

Isn't this just another case of the richer in society (those who can afford to take taxis) benefitting at everyone's else expense?

Not to mention the likes of Michael O'Leary who had his own private Taxi back in the boom.

Does anyone else think this is wrong?

AdolfHipster · 21-05-2014 04:48PM

Sounds like one of those days were you need a pint.

Mr.McLovin · 21-05-2014 04:48PM

because taxi drivers own the fcuking road

Ray Palmer · 21-05-2014 04:49PM

They were always allowed use them as are cyclists. They are actually commuter lanes but named bus lanes for convenience. Some are strictly bus lanes that only busses can us, counter-flow one are the only such ones AFAIK

endacl · 21-05-2014 04:49PM

patrickpc wrote: »

When did society decide that Taxis should be allowed to use bus lanes?

Isn't this just another case of the richer in society (those who can afford to take taxis) benefitting at everyone's else expense?

Not to mention the likes of Michael O'Leary who had his own private Taxi back in the boom.

Does anyone else think this is wrong?

I dunno.... Tenner for a taxi. Few grand for a car....

Wazdakka · 21-05-2014 04:50PM

This..

patrickpc · 21-05-2014 04:50PM

endacl wrote: »

I dunno.... Tenner for a taxi. Few grand for a car....

..couple of euro for a bus..

B.A._Baracus · 21-05-2014 04:51PM

Because its public transport, op.
How well do you think taxis would work if they had to wait in traffic with all the other cars? With the meter still ticking? :pac:

patrickpc · 21-05-2014 04:51PM

Wazdakka wrote: »

This..

nope - just asking a question.

Birneybau · 21-05-2014 04:53PM

Public transport?

patrickpc · 21-05-2014 04:55PM

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Because its public transport, op.
How well do you think taxis would work if they had to wait in traffic with all the other cars? With the meter still ticking? :pac:

Ok by the same logic - buses would work better if there weren't taxis in the bus lanes.

gramar · 21-05-2014 04:55PM

Taxi drivers are ****e drivers so anything that keeps them out of your lane has to be a good thing.

It also helps to keep their misguided sense of self importance and superiority well inflated.

Alf. A. Male · 21-05-2014 05:01PM

Because taxis claim to be public transport. They are in me bollix.

Santa Cruz · 21-05-2014 05:03PM

Birneybau wrote: »

Public transport?

Meaning no control over what type of scum sits beside you. I'll pay for a taxi instead

B.A._Baracus · 21-05-2014 05:04PM

patrickpc wrote: »

Ok by the same logic - buses would work better if there weren't taxis in the bus lanes.

No, they wouldn't.
The idea of bus lanes is to allow public transpot vehicles to flow. So they don't get bogged down in regular traffic. So they can just wizz on by.

It's not like there are a million taxis in Dublin. All parking in Bus lanes 24/7 :pac:

seamus · 21-05-2014 05:04PM

Well if you're being reasonable about it, taxis are operating a business which depends on the ability to move about on the roads, much like busses. If they cannot move about freely on the roads, then their ability to carry out their business is effectively crippled and they go under.

As much of a pain in the ass taxi drivers are, they do provide a valuable function to the economy by providing direct public transport between areas which may not be linked by other forms of public transport. This is vital for the tourism sector. They also provide a valuable social function by allowing those who are infirm to make trips from their home when they might otherwise be unable to do so. People on dialysis for example may have to go to the hospital multiple times per week. They're too sick to take the bus (or live nowhere near a bus stop) but not so sick that they should tie up an ambulance. Taxis fill in this gap.

Private vehicles by contrast provide minimal benefit to the economy at large, since the vast majority of commuters in the Dublin region drive by choice rather than necessity. A private commuter driving to work costs the economy money, whereas a taxi operating on the roads contributes to it.

I would support light commercial vehicles using bus lanes in the city centre during certain times for the same reason that taxis can use them.

super_furry · 21-05-2014 05:12PM

Nothing I like more that putting on my top hat and monocle, having my tuxedo freshly pressed and sitting in the back of a taxi to laugh at the peasants.

Ray Palmer · 21-05-2014 05:14PM

patrickpc wrote: »

Ok by the same logic - buses would work better if there weren't taxis in the bus lanes.

The main objective is to reduce the number of cars used on the road. Make it quicker to get a bus or a taxi along with cyclists.

Some of remember when there were none and less cars and buses took much longer to move around.

They really should enforce the correct use.

Greenmachine · 21-05-2014 05:15PM

PSV licence. Public service vehicles.

Hotale.com · 21-05-2014 05:17PM

Have taxis become an upper class thing?

I can still get to anywhere in my town for a fiver in a taxi, that's not exactly gonna break the bank.

minotour · 21-05-2014 05:17PM

I'd like to see proposals for High Occupancy Vehicles in bus lanes during commuter hours. I watch the N11 in the morning and its mostly single occupant cars lined up as far as the eye can see, surely with the right incentive people could car pool and get to work in a fraction of the time.

gramar · 21-05-2014 05:25PM

Hotale.com wrote: »

Have taxis become an upper class thing?

I can still get to anywhere in my town for a fiver in a taxi, that's not exactly gonna break the bank.

Yeah but if your town only has main st. then great but get a taxi from the airport into o'connell st and see if a fiver will cover it.

smellmepower · 21-05-2014 05:29PM

Shouldn't be allowed use bus lanes during rush hour,people should be encouraged to use mass public transport instead.

Taxi drivers should also be punished for the way they grind Dame Street to a standstill every Friday and Saturday night by parking and waiting for fares wherever they like.

endacl · 21-05-2014 06:01PM

super_furry wrote: »

Nothing I like more that putting on my top hat and monocle, having my tuxedo freshly pressed and sitting in the back of a taxi to laugh at the peasants.

You'd wear a top hat with a tuxedo? Between the hours of 7am to 7 pm? The tuxedo is only to be worn from dusk to dawn. Where did you go to school?

My dear chap, I very much fear that it is you the peasants might be laughing at!

c_man · 21-05-2014 06:14PM

seamus wrote: »

A private commuter driving to work costs the economy money, whereas a taxi operating on the roads contributes to it.

I cost the economy money by driving to work...? Care to explain that one

Hotale.com · 21-05-2014 06:51PM

c_man wrote: »

I cost the economy money by driving to work...? Care to explain that one

If everyone used public transport we'd all get around more quickly and therefore productivity would increase, therefore by using your own car you cost the economy money.

Tail Docker · 21-05-2014 06:55PM

seamus wrote: »

Well if you're being reasonable about it, taxis are operating a business which depends on the ability to move about on the roads, much like busses. If they cannot move about freely on the roads, then their ability to carry out their business is effectively crippled and they go under.

As much of a pain in the ass taxi drivers are, they do provide a valuable function to the economy by providing direct public transport between areas which may not be linked by other forms of public transport. This is vital for the tourism sector. They also provide a valuable social function by allowing those who are infirm to make trips from their home when they might otherwise be unable to do so. People on dialysis for example may have to go to the hospital multiple times per week. They're too sick to take the bus (or live nowhere near a bus stop) but not so sick that they should tie up an ambulance. Taxis fill in this gap.

Private vehicles by contrast provide minimal benefit to the economy at large, since the vast majority of commuters in the Dublin region drive by choice rather than necessity. A private commuter driving to work costs the economy money, whereas a taxi operating on the roads contributes to it.

I would support light commercial vehicles using bus lanes in the city centre during certain times for the same reason that taxis can use them.

I can hear the roars of the Truck-drivers from here.

Turtyturd · 21-05-2014 06:56PM

Santa Cruz wrote: »

Meaning no control over what type of scum sits beside you. I'll pay for a taxi instead

That's as big an issue in taxis.

c_man · 21-05-2014 06:59PM

Hotale.com wrote: »

If everyone used public transport we'd all get around more quickly and therefore productivity would increase, therefore by using your own car you cost the economy money.

Still don't see it, lot of therefores I don't see eye to eye on

I'd be more productive if my morning trip was via public transport?

How much money would my car cost the economy? And how come this money is being removed from the economy?

Teyla Emmagan · 21-05-2014 07:01PM

They are only supposed to use the bus lanes if they are occupied. Despite what observation would lead you to believe.

MattD1349 · 21-05-2014 07:07PM

If I recall correctly the taxi drivers had one of their infamous stoppages in the late '90's (1998 I think). They wanted access to the bus lanes & the govt of the day caved in. I remember they brought town to such a standstill I had to walk from O'Connell st to Heuston station as the quays were blocked by them.

Why are Taxis allowed to use bus lanes?

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