28th September 2005
The Commissioner for Taxi Regulation has welcomed the submissions received on the Roadmap Towards a New National Code of Regulation for Taxis, Hackneys and Limousines document published on June 30 last. The closing date for the receipt of submissions was Monday, September 26, 2005.
The Roadmap Document proposes fundamental reforms across a broad range of areas to improve the quality of service delivered by Ireland’s taxi, hackney and limousine industry. The reforms include a mandatory skills development programme for drivers, enhanced accessibility for all including people with disabilities, improved awareness and availability of information for passengers, a new complaints process, stronger enforcement, simpler and more transparent fares, enhanced vehicle standards, streamlined licensing and administrative procedures.
The Commission for Taxi Regulation also received this week the responsibility for a major part of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 from the Minister for Transport Mr Martin Cullen TD. This empowers the Commission to implement the major reform of the taxi, hackney and limousine industry in Ireland envisaged in the Roadmap Document.
As part of the consultation process the Commissioner met with a number of industry and consumer representative groups around the country, the Commissioner also met with a number of organisations representing people with disabilities as well as other stakeholders.
“This is a significant step in the process of realising the Commission’s vision of a first class consumer oriented licensing system and customer focused service for taxi, hackney and limousine users and service providers,” said Commissioner Deering.
“We have received a large volume of submissions from the industry and a variety of interested parties. This is very welcome combined with the input received from the Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation which will assist us in drafting the new Code of Regulation, this will be implemented on a phased basis from early 2006” concluded the Commissioner.
For further press information contact:
Joanne Coffey/Justin Bowers
Keating & Associates
Tel: 01 662 0345
Email: joanne@keating.ie or
justin@keating.ie