Irish Taxi

Let’s try for one little victory!

Roy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:26:40 +0000

For years now the Taxi industry in Ireland has been battered. with one regulation after another.

We have so many complaints now we don’t seem to know were to begin:

Not enough ranks

Too many Taxis

Too much illegality

Not enough enforcement

Drivers not properly trained

and so on, ad infinatum.

So I thought this site would pick one issue to pound the regulator with, constantly! Until such time as a solution is found, I’m not saying I won’t highlight other issues as they arise, just that this one will be the sites hobbyhorse!

THE COUNTY FOR WHICH THE DRIVER IS LICENCED SHOULD BE CLEARLY VISIBLE TO ALL, THE CURRENT SYSTEM, WITH IT PRINTED ON THE BACK OF THE ID CARD - IS INADEQUATE!

Customers:

You must be fed up with drivers not knowing were they are going and concerned that drivers plying for hire outside the area for which they are licenced are not insured for the journey taken.

Drivers:

You must be fed up getting complaints about drivers who have no idea where they are never mind where they are going and annoyed with your livelihood being shared with unlicenced drivers.

HERE IS WHAT TO DO!

Please put your Name into the FORM provided HERE and press - SUBMIT, That’s it ……it’s that simple!” the complaint will be automatically sent to the regulator. you may i change the wording of the complaint to suit your needs if you wish.

Wierd ending to an otherwise normal job

Roy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:02:59 +0000

Standard fare ,a lad going to Clondalkin, trying to sell me dodgy satelite boxes and suits (slightly damaged Magee seconds???)

Coming into Neilstown he gives me €25 ( meters at €21) says “that’ll cover it”.. then ducks down, head between his legs and tells me to take the next right, then right again and then stop.

He rang home to tell them he was on the way and to have the door open.

When I stopped, he flung open the door and ran straight through an open hall door, leaving my door wide open also.

They must be after him for selling a dodgy suit?……….or maybe something else?

Looks like we.re talking

Roy — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:24:36 +0000

The result of TDFC text vote has just been published

52.5 for talking
47.5 for fighting

Read it here

More on Student Visa holders driving Taxis

Roy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:07:53 +0000

I found this letter over on the NTDU site from the Irish naturalisation and immigration service, and thought it was interesting………….

I refer to your correspondence dated 5 January. 2009 and 11 February. 2009 in

Which you raise concerns regarding foreign nationals who are present in the State

On foot of student immigration permissions working as taxi drivers

As you will be aware, foreign nationals who are granted permission to come to

Ireland for the purpose of engaging in a course or studies are permitted to take up

Employment on a casual basis. This work concession was introduced in 2001. The

Relevant immigration permission which is granted to the student indicates that the

Student is only permitted to remain in the State to pursue his or her studies on

Condition that he or she does not engage in any business or profession other than

Casual employment (defined as 20 hours per week during school term and up to 40

Hours per week during school holidays) the work concession does not grant

Permission to engage in self employment activities

A person who is in breach of the conditions attached to his or her immigration

Permission. Including limits on employment. Is liable to hrs or her immigration

Permission being revoked or not renewed. In this regard, the immigration authorities

When engaging with students do take steps to monitor adherence to conditions and

Take appropriate action where concerns arise, In this regard, should you have any

Further information regarding persons who are working in the State in breach of their

Immigration permission this should be brought to the attention of the Garda National

Immigration Bureau,

In relation to the question of reviewing the operation of current student immigration

Policy. You may wish to be aware that the Department is currently carrying out a

Review of student immigration. That review will address certain aspects of student

Migration from outside the EEA which have given rise to concern in recent years it

Will also identify proposals for a more coherent approach to student migration

Generally. It is expected that the review will be completed shortly and will then be

The subject of further consultation with other relevant Government Departments in

Relation to any proposed measures to be brought forward

Big Mother is watching you!

Roy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:08:25 +0000

While driving past the Palace on Fitzwilloiam Square last night , I noticed a new addition to the facade.

A nice shiney new ultra expensive looking….CCTV camera!

They must be preparing for the next wave of protests!

Bogey- Caught and Snared

Roy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:43:44 +0000

My wife’s friend organised for her to be picked up and brought to her house, which is a little bit out in the country and dificult to find, paying the driver €35 for the favour.

Shortly after picking up my wife the driver was pulled in by the police and questioned about the nature of his trip and his relationship to m wife.

The police satisfied themselves that the driver was carrying my wife for reward, without the proper licence to do so and issued him with a summons to appear in court… to be charged with the aforementioned offence.

Unbelieable you say! that would never happen in a million years………

It did happen…….. just outside the Airport in Alicante, Spain….

The Guaria Civil seem to look after their Taxi drivers a lot better than the Gardai do.

Regulator’s Reply to Recent Correspondence

Roy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:45:27 +0000

Dear Roy,

Thank you for your contact with the Commission.

1. The National Numbering System

As you will be aware, each local authority implemented its own licence numbering system prior to the introduction of the national vehicle licence numbers. The duplication of licence numbers which arose under this system was incompatible with a system of effective national regulation.

The national numbering system has proven successful in that, as the number is unique to the vehicle, it is easily identifiable in the national register of licenses. (It would have been just as easy to come up with a system that identifies county as well, The Car registration numbering system is a fine example!)

The PSV driver licence determines the area a driver can operate in.

The area where the SPSV driver is licensed to operate is clearly displayed on the driver ID on the dashboard of the vehicle, this is clearly visible to passengers before engaging in a journey and also for enforcement purposes..

(NO…… IT ISN’T! this is pure bull……. the ID card is a JOKE!)

2. Roof Sign Light

Article 21(2) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Amendment and Licensing) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 710 of 2007) provides;

‘A taxi sign shall be lit up during lighting-up hours except when the vehicle is on hire or is standing for hire at an appointed stand.’

(Lighting-up hours is defined in Article 2 of the Road Traffic General Bye-Laws, 1964 (S.I. No. 294 of 1964) as ‘the period commencing one half-hour after sunset on any day and ending one half-hour before sunrise on the next day’)

3. Bus Lanes

In accordance with Article 32(5)(b) of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 182 of 1997) a taxi or wheelchair accessible taxi is entitled to use a bus lane during the period of operation of the bus lane provided that the vehicle is being used in the course of business.

(This seems like a step down from the stance taken in “the Bible” where it says Taxis may only use the bus lane when hired…….Plying for hire is part of the course of our business)

Maybe we need to Do it Ourselves!

Roy — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:57:46 +0000

There is rampant illegality within the Taxi trade.

The public don’t give a toss
The Gardai don’t gve a toss
The Regulator/enforcers don’t give a toss.

The general public just want to go home and will get into what seems to be a legitimate Taxi, assuming that the Gardai/Enforcers are looking after their welfare.

The Gardai are only interested in keeping the Streets clear, moving on or ticketing those Taxis that are illegally parked, it seems that checking if the Taxi is legal isn’t a requirement for them.

The Enforcers show up for an hour every couple of months…… then go away again.

Is it now down to us (Taxi Drivers) to police ourselves? As we’re the only ones who actually seem to care about this situation!

Maybe we should arrange to meet in groups of three, at irregular times, and then walk from Taxi to Taxi on the ranks, both the legal and illegal ones, checking for the details that should be visible from outside the Taxi.

There is no need for confrontation. Tell legitimate drivers what we are doing and to keep an eye. just in case other drivers get shirty.

Possible Checklist:

Plate Number…….Correct side of roofsign yes/no

County that the driver is licenced for ….Visible/is this County yes/no

Picture/name of driver …..visible yes/no

Daisy front ……in date / not forged yes/no

Daisy rear….in date/ not forged yes/no

If any of the above have a No answer, then tell the driver that all three of you are reporting him to the Regulator and ask for his name and spsv number, if he doesn’t give it… write that he refused.

Then follow up with the regulator that some action is taken to ensure the driver is legitimate and will in future abide by the same rules as the rest of us.

Maybe then a culture of not allowing drivers that don’t display the required information to work alongside us will prevail……. instead of the current apathy!

There are inherent dangers with taking on something like this, the people involved should be able to use a little diplomacy, must not get involved in slagging matches or engage in any physical contact.

Just inform the drivers that that you are a concerned Taxi driver, simply trying to ensure a safe, reliable, quality assured service.

Or is there some law saying we cannot?

My Latest Letter to the Regulator- Re, Numbering System. Roofsigns

Roy — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:53:39 +0000

Hello!

Roy here from www.irishtaxi.org

A major difficulty with the national numbering system is that Enforcers/Gardai are unable to tell at a glance whether the Taxi is licenced to ply for hire at any rank being surveyed, instead they must study the dashboard of each cab individually.

Also there is a flagrant disregard of the rule that the ID card should be readable from outside the Taxi, a problem I have given up trying to highlight.

When Seamus Brennan first announced the setting up of the commission, he stated that he foresaw when Taxis would be colour coded to the county in which they operated, therefore he did not envisage the national numbering system at that time..perhaps it was a bad idea?

Can you please come up with an easy method of telling where the driver of a Taxi is licenced , from a reasonable distance and from both in front and behind the vehicle ?

I think this is a reasonable request and should be of help to Taxi drivers /customers and those given the responsibility of enforcing the regulations.

Also can you please enlighten me on the law regarding roof sign lighting?

A- Is the light supposed to be on at all times to highlight the details thereon?

B- Is the Light supposed to be lit only when the Taxi is for hire? If so what benefit is the light in daylight hours?

If B is the case, which seems to be the belief of most Taxi drivers ……………does that make it illegal to drive in a Bus lane with your roofsign lit?

Roy

TDFC Newsletter number 2

Roy — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:56:00 +0000

TDFC have released their 2nd Newsletter today , far too large a document to copy here

Read it on their site

Meanwhile it’s being discussed over on the forum , have you Joned yet?