Taxi Driver Online

Taxi regulator considers a moratorium on new licences

Minister has issued new recommendations

A moratorium on issuing new taxi licences for Galway is being considered by the Commission for Taxi Regulation.

The Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has instructed Taxi Regulator, Kathleen Doyle, to examine the possibility of introducing restrictions on issuing new licences to sort out the problem of over-supply of taxis.

The Minister has asked that only taxis that cater for disabled persons should be issued with new licences for a defined period of time until the oversaturated taxi market returns to normal levels.

Minister Dempsey has also asked Ms Doyle to restrict the illegal operation of taxis by considering the option of buying taxi licences from drivers who no longer want to remain in the business. This measure would eliminate the second-hand resale market for taxi licences, which is harder to regulate.

Minister Dempsey has issued the recommendations to the Taxi Regulator following a meeting last week with Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Galway West TD Frank Fahey.

Deputy Fahey says he is very pleased the Minister has agreed in principle to only issuing disabled taxi licences for a defined period of time and for restrictions on the sale of second-hand licences. The measures were contained in a submission made by the Oireachtas Committee on Transport to the Minister.

The Fianna Fáil Deputy has also asked the Minister to instruct the Taxi Regulator to stop issuing fines to ‘legitimate’ taxis who are parking in areas of the city that are not designated as taxi ranks.

“Last week several legal taxi drivers were hit with €250 fines for parking in areas outside of taxi ranks. I am vehemently opposed to the Taxi Regulators’ officers issuing fines to taxis when there isn’t anywhere else to park. There just isn’t enough taxi rank space and until such time as more space is provided, it is completely reprehensible to be issuing €250 fines,” he said.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

If they did that from day 1 then the problems would have gone on day 1.

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IDFIMH

Perhaps this government should say something about over here....because I understand there's plenty of cab drivers getting parking tickets.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Can't understand this, because having extensively read-up on the Republic of Ireland 'taxi' licensing situation in 2006 & the Goodbody Economic Consultants 123 page report to the government on the subject, I was left with the distinct belief that 'taxi' vehicle licenses in RoI are issued for the whole country, but drivers are licensed for specific areas only.

So how can they restrict the number of vehicle licenses in Galway, unless they amend the legislation?

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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