June 30th 2005
Taxi Commission Proposes Fundamental Reform of Sector
Roadmap Towards a New National Code of Regulation for Taxis, Hackneys and Limousines launched
The Commission for Taxi Regulation has proposed 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 proposals are contained in the Roadmap document published today (Thursday, June 30, 2005). The Roadmap is the result of the most extensive review* of taxi, hackney and limousine services and vehicle standards and related matters ever undertaken in this country.
Introducing the Roadmap for industry, Commissioner for Taxi Regulation Mr Ger Deering said, “Small public service vehicles provide an essential part of the public transport system due to their flexibility, ability to provide a door to door service and potential to integrate with other public transport services. Enhancing the service they provide and making them more accessible will make all transport services more available to the travelling public.
“Currently many taxi, hackney and limousine drivers and operators provide an excellent service. The service is available to many people in Ireland, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty five days a year. Some, however, provide a sub-standard service and there are issues of non-compliance that require attention. The Commission is committed to ensuring that all service providers are fully compliant and provide a quality service providing all passengers access to a first class service,” the Commissioner added.
“This will be achieved by putting in place a new code of regulation, generating greater awareness and stronger enforcement,” he continued. “The proposals in this document provide an exciting opportunity to ensure Ireland enjoys a first class service that meets the highest standards, gives professional recognition to the profession of taxi, hackney and limousine drivers and enhance the customer experience. This in turn will lead to greater use of the service and achieve better integration with other elements of the public transport system.”
The principal changes proposed by the Commission cover the areas of:
- Improved accessibility features in all vehicles
- Skills development programme and professional accreditation for all drivers
- New Code of Good Practice for all drivers
- Charter of customer rights and responsibilities in all vehicles
- Major awareness and information programme
- User friendly guides for passengers
- User friendly guides for service providers
- New complaints process
- Strengthened enforcement
- Streamlined licensing systems
- Improved operating procedures for dispatch (radio) companies
- Simplified and better defined taximeter areas
- New National Database of Vehicle and Driver Licences
- Simpler taxi fares with all taxi journeys subject to maximum fares
- The Commission’s website, www.taxiregulator.ie will be a major resource for all
- A move towards a national unified fare structure
- Taxis, hackneys and limousines will provide a receipt with licence and fare details
- New design guidelines for taxi ranks
- Improved vehicle standards
- Introduction of a quality assurance scheme and quality mark
- New procedures for vetting driver licence applicants
- Better safety and security
The Commission has called for submissions and feedback on the proposals in this document on or before Monday 26th September 2005 from any individual or body interested in improving the service provided by taxis, hackneys or limousines. Having considered any submissions or comments from individual or organisations together with input from the Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation, the Commission will commence drafting the new Code of Regulations, which will be implemented on a phased basis from early 2006.
“It is important that the plans of the Commission for Taxi Regulation are easily understood and transparent and have maximum input from all stakeholders. This is essential to promote investment and encourage innovation in the industry and provide confidence for customers leading to greater usage of the service. It is for these reasons that I am publishing the findings of the Review and this Consultation document at the earliest possible opportunity. I encourage all concerned to move forward in a spirit of co-operation and embrace the opportunity now presented to bring about positive change,” Mr Deering concluded.
The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established as an Independent Public Body under Part 2 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 by the Minister for Transport on September 1, 2004. Ger Deering was appointed as the sole member of the Commission on that date.
The principal function of the Commission is the development and maintenance of a regulatory framework for the control and operation of small public service vehicles (SPSVs) and their drivers.
In carrying out its functions, the Commission is guided by the core principles set out in the Government White Paper Regulating Better and the Commission’s vision for a first class consumer oriented licensing system and customer focused service for taxi, hackney and limousine users and service providers. The core principles of Regulating Better are: necessity, effectiveness, proportionality, transparency, accountability and consistency.
Editors Note
The closing date for receipt of submissions is 5:00pm on Monday 26th September 2005. Submissions can be made via email to the email address of commission@taxiregulator.ie or alternatively by post to the Commission for Taxi Regulation, 35 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.
Copies of the Roadmap document published today by the Commission along with the Services Review by Goodbody Economic Consultants and Vehicle Review by the Dublin Institute of Technology are available on www.taxiregulator.ie
For further press information contact:
Joanne Coffey/John Browne
Keating & Associates
Tel: 01 662 0345 Email: joanne@keating.ie /
john@keating.ie
* The Services Review was carried out on behalf of the Commission by Goodbody Economic Consultants and the Vehicle Review by Dublin Institute of Technology. Both involved widespread research and consultation including public meetings at locations throughout the country, face-to-face meetings with a range of stakeholders and substantial input from the Advisory Council, together with consideration of some 130 submissions received.