Taxi unions to raise concerns with regulator

Taxi regulator Ger Deering is to meet today with the leaders of the three main taxi unions to discuss his new fares structure due to come into force this month.

Regardless of the outcome, fears of further strike action by drivers have been allayed.

The National Taxi Drivers' Union (NTDU), Siptu and the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation (ITDF) will be represented at the four o'clock meeting, where they will discuss the review period for the new fares.

Mr Deering has set the period of review at two years from the implementation date of September 25th, but the unions want to cut that drastically to as little as one month.

"We want that brought forward to a month or six weeks after implementation date next week, so as to see where this thing is going, to see the pitfalls within it and we're hoping that that's going to granted to us," NTDU president Tommy Gorman told ireland.comtoday. "We can't see any reason why it should go beyond that.

"Obviously the drivers will have to play their part in that," added Mr Gorman. The unions will instruct their drivers to report back on earnings as early as possible.

Mr Gorman expects most of the city drivers to report an increase in income because the minimum pick-up charges have been increased by Mr Deering, but he is sure there will be losses on airport fares, where pick-up fees of €1.50 will be abolished, and rural fares, which will be affected by a significant reduction in base charges.

The changes have already sparked protests by taxi drivers, but Mr Gorman sees no threat of further action by drivers.

Last Monday there was serious traffic disruption in Dublin city centre when drivers protested at the changes. There was also a threat to disrupt the Ryder Cup, which will be hosted at The K Club, Co Kildare, this weekend.

"As far as I'm concerned I cannot see any further disruption of services," Mr Gorman, highlighting the necessity for talks with the Department of Transport.

The Department of Transport only agreed to meet the unions last week after they cancelled a planned 24-hour protest due to take place on Thursday.

Mr Gorman described a meeting with the Department as "very important" and said that an appeals process to Mr Deering's changes was essential as is the case with "all the other regulators".

Mr Gorman will be joined in today's meeting by Siptu's assistant branch organiser Gerry Brennan and ITDF president John Ussher.