A decision by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, to establish a new agency to regulate the taxi, hackney and limousine industry should be welcomed. Existing arrangements for licensing and regulation, involving the Garda Síochána and the Carriage Office at Dublin Castle, hark back to pre-deregulation days, before the number of taxi licences trebled and there was an influx of new workers into the industry.
Some of the bitterness generated by the ending of a "closed shop" for taximen, in November, 2000, is still very much alive. And a protest over compensation and the activities of part-time taxi drivers will take place in Dublin today. A spokesman for the protesters said it was not their intention to cause gridlock in the city and promised co-operation with the Garda Síochána.
The taximen would do well to remember that their use of bully-boy tactics two years ago did not achieve the desired results. Their protests on that occasion made the Coalition Government even more determined to press ahead with the deregulation process ordered by the Courts. On this occasion, their demands for compensation are being made in a harsh economic climate.
The Government has yet to consider a report from the Taxi Hardship Panel that reviewed the nature and extent of personal financial difficulties arising from a liberalisation of the market. At this point, the consumer's major concern is about the poor quality of service frequently provided by taxis and hackneys. Dirty, run-down cars; abusive and inconsiderate drivers; overcharging and long delays are the stuff of everyday conversation.
Although the number of taxis in Dublin has more than doubled in two years, to 8,609, the number of formal complaints to the Carriage Office has not quite kept pace. More than 90 per cent of complaints relate to overcharging, but a small number involve more serious matters, such as abusive behaviour, assault and even rape. Eleven taxi licences were revoked by the Carriage Office this year. The Office of National Taxi Regulator will be established next February on a non-statutory basis. Its task will be to promote an effective, efficient and customer-friendly service by taxis, hackneys and limousines. It will set fees, issue licences, establish standards for vehicles and drivers and implement a wheelchair accessible policy. Given the present inadequate services, it represents a major job. The sooner Mr Brennan brings legislation to the Dáil, and gives teeth to the regulator, the better.