REARVIEW:TAKING A TAXI in most European countries is a simple process. Stand at the side of any street, spot the (usually) light-coloured vehicle, put up your hand and off you go.
In Ireland things can be different. Your public service vehicle can be anything from a Nissan Primera to a Mitsubishi Pajero and be neon yellow, metallic silver or fire-engine red.
The illuminated roof sign is a rough guide to availability. Moves to standardise the taxi fleet seem to be always met with resistance from taxi men and women. But a recent complaint by taxi groups, on the introduction of a new rule on vehicle age, is legitimate and the plan by the Commission for Taxi Regulation should be amended.
Under the new rules, which came into force earlier this month, all taxis must be less than nine years old on their licence renewal date. The commission estimates that 24 per cent of the 23,000 taxis will need to be replaced in the next year. Taxi groups say the move will see thousands of drivers, already feeling the pinch in harsh economic times, put off the road. They say it will also see many high-quality vehicles scrapped for no good reason.
It is not feasible for many drivers to replace their cars at a time when incomes are down generally and banks are loath to hand out loans. It is, in short, a recipe for financial disaster for many taxi drivers and their families.
The use of the vehicle’s age is a crude instrument when measuring the suitability for use as a taxi. A quick search of used car websites will show the many vehicles nine years and older (Mercedes. Lexus, Volkswagen and Audi spring to mind) that are far from the end of their usefulness.
The commission is right to insist on vehicles that are safe, comfortable, clean and fit for purpose, while also encouraging the use of fuel-efficient cars. We must also aim for a standardised taxi fleet along the lines of the likes of Paris or Berlin. However, breaking open a peanut with a sledgehammer is not the right approach.