Irish Taxi

Irish Taxi Council, They Haven’t Gone Away.

Roy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:50:13 +0000

I spoke at length with Frank Byrne, president of the Irish Taxi Council on Friday evening, and he assured me that the Irish Taxi Council have not gone away and have been very busy in the background making important contacts.

He said that decisions regarding the circulation of information must be made centrally and thought must be given to as and how that information is used, a newsletter will be forthcoming later informing it’s members on the current state of play.

He did mention that members of the Irish Taxi Council attended the Transport Committee meeting last Wednesday at Dail Eireann, where The Taxi Regulator Mrs Kathleen Doyle was questioned closely by Frank Fahey Td and Tommy Broughan Td and many of their worries were addressed.

You Be The Judge! An Actual TLC Hearing

Roy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:22:34 +0000

Here’s how this works. You get the facts exactly like they were given to a Taxi Limousine Commission (NYC) Judge. We give you the defense that was made before the judge. You make up your mind whether he or she is guilty or not guilty. Decision now at the end of the post

Listed below are the charges the driver faced and the penalties/fines that could be served on foot of a guilty verdict, notice that there is a sliding scale based on the severity of the offense unlike our €250 fine whether it’s because you forgot your pencil or aren’t licensed to operate
Charges:
2-21A : reckless driving :$350-$1,000 and/or suspension 30 days or revocation, 4 points
2-42A: discourteous :$150, 2 points
2-45A: not using shortest route :$50-$150, 2 points
2-46B :not giving receipt :$25, 1 point
2-60A :harassing passenger :$350-$1,000 and/or suspension 30 days, 3 points
2-61A2 :action against public interest :$150-$350 and/or suspension 30 days, 3 points

Facts:
A young lady in her 20’s was out drinking with friends who put her in the taxi at 2 A.M. She went from Tribeca to Brooklyn Hts. She gave directions but the driver failed to make the last turn. He offered to drop her there a few doors down from where he should have made the turn. She became very upset and said “you
wouldn’t make your mother walk down there! That is, if you have a mother.” The driver backed through the intersection and deposited her at her door. She paid by credit card and became more irate when the driver ordered her out of the cab. After the pick-up the driver accelerated and the girl fell back against the seat. She complained that the driver was driving too erratically. She began using her cell phone and loudly made
insulting remarks about the driver. At the destination the driver heard her say “on the right.” She really said “make a right” but it was all mixed up with her cell phone trash talk. The driver asked her to walk the few
doors down but she refused and became abusive. When she got to the destination she paid by credit card and became more irate when the driver ordered her out of the cab.

Defence

After the pick-up the driver accelerated and the girl fell backagainst the seat. She complained that the driver was driving too erratically. She began using her cell phone and loudly made insulting remarks about the driver. At the destination the driver heard her say “on the right.” She really said “make a right” but it was all mixed up with her cell phone trash talk. The driver asked her to walk the few doors down but she refused and became abusive. When she got to the destination she paid by credit card but refused to exit. She kept yelling into the phone that “this dog, this animal” was trying to push her around. The driver then went to the passenger’s door, opened it, and shouted “get out of my cab.” He threatened to call the police to
have her ejected when she finally left the cab.

Decision:

The driver is guilty of 2-42A. fine $150 and 2 points. He should not have exited the cab and shouted “get out of my cab.” All other charges dismissed.

George Hook Interview with Frank Fahey, TD

Roy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:01:31 +0000

George HooK Interview with Frank Fahey TD Chairman of the Transport Committee on why he feels the Commission for Taxi Regulation should be shut down:

Starts about 1 minute into the recording:

From Newstalk 106 to 108 fm Ireland’s National Independent Talk Radio Broadcaster

Frank Fahey TD. Wants an end to the Commission For Taxi Regulation

Roy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:11:08 +0000

‘Wasteful watchdog for taxis should go’

THE Commission for Taxi Regulation is an ” ineffective, wasteful bureaucracy that should be disbanded”, the chairman of the Dail’s Transport committee claimed last night.

Fianna Fail Galway West TD Frank Fahey said he will table a motion seeking to disband the office after Commissioner Kathleen Doyle appeared before the committee yesterday to provide a progress report on further reforms to improve the industry.

He was clearly unimpressed after hearing her response to a recommendation by the committee last year to provide more space for taxis at taxi ranks in major centres around the country. “I think your answer sums up all that is wrong with your organisation and control of the administration of the taxi industry in this country,” he said.

He said her claim the commission can only provide guidelines to local authorities on the matter is “a load of gobbledygook”. “There is total chaos in regard to spaces. This committee made a very simple request to you 12 months ago,” he said. “We’ve just got nowhere.” Ms Doyle said she was “very disappointed that the committee hasn’t acknowledged the hard work the commission has done”.

- Allison Bray

Irish Independent

From The Indo:
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/wasteful-watchdog-for-taxis-should-go-1934602.html

Halloween

Roy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:09:09 +0000

It happens every year, men in skirts, flirting at every opportunity with other men and girls dressing as sluttish as is humanly possible with legs boobs and ass displayed provocatively behind the ultimate fantasy costumes, including Bo-peep, Pocahontas, French maids and nurses.
Is this night an opportunity for folk to dress as they really are/feel? …..a bunch of transvestites and wannabe prostitutes?
Always makes for an interesting night….here’s to next year!

Fleet Licence / Renters

Roy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:56:48 +0000

Rumors abound that the multiple plate holders are busy transferring their plates to their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles in anticipation of the upcoming new fleet licence.
Thing is, the problem lies with each individual rental agreement and this is where the clampdown should occur.
Most people who rent out taxis don’t care whether the driver has a tax clearance certificate, has a licence to drive a Taxi, or is even insured, their only priority is getting the weekly rent….most of their money is tied up in the plate, meter and roof sign, the car itself is not really a worry.
Even those that do check the details of the renter have no way of knowing just who is driving the Taxi, they may pass it on to another individual or group of individuals.
Taxi driving is not that expensive a business to get in to, some people are too lazy to pass the relevant tests/exams required to enter the business and don’t want to pay the high costs of insurance and so turn to the rental sector to get around this problem.
I feel the rental market should only be for existing plate owners who need to rent temporarily while their Taxi is off the road for some reason and that they should be required to surrender their roofsign to the renter during the rental term to ensure this is the case.
If this is not legal in the current deregulated market then the existing system should be tightened up considerably with a permanent marker on rented Taxis and the drivers of rented Taxis being required to carry Tax Clearance certificate, proper picture ID and SPSV insurance in their own name….. checked randomly and regularly

WINIcab (When/Where I need It)

Roy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:29:35 +0000

I went to a focus group this afternoon where a group of Taxi drivers were given a briefing on a proposed scheme, whereby the above company would facilitate communication between Cab customers and drivers.

The system would be cost neutral, if you don’t get any work you pay nothing , if you do receive a fare you are charged €2 (Euro), the same as the pick-up charge you can add for receiving the call, after the first 500 fares you receive from the system this charge is reduced to €1 (the extra €1 charged with the first 500 fares is to pay for the software/hardware/administration etc…..there is no up-front charge)

The system works through an ingenious piece of software added to your phone which tells winicab which mobile cell you are using, thereby giving your location …. along with the customers phone provider giving them the customers location, therefore they can match the customer to the closest cab which should never be more than 2 to 3 minutes away.

There will also be a chip attached to the roof sign output of the meter, this will tell the system whether or not you’re engaged, therefore you will not receive calls while passengers are on board.

Features have also been added to allow drivers to reject calls (if they are finishing their shift or have a previously arranged appointment) and to tell the system they had a no-show, whereby no charge will be payable.

Winicab are hoping to attract 1200 drivers to sign up for this system prior to the launch in approximately 8 weeks time, this is necessary in order for them to be able to provide a good service from day one and to therefore build the business for their drivers based on a good reputation for service.

The driving force behind this venture is John, an economist (the founding father of the charity Concern) his son Paul and Paul’s wife Alva, all of whom have put a great deal of thought into every aspect of this business and seemed ready for every question posed.

Personally I hope this venture is a great success and have already signed up to be part of it when it starts…..

Why Don’t You? The sooner you do, the sooner you and I will be earning a little extra!

Email Paul with your name, address, plate number and phone number to show you’re interested!

This is as BAD as it gets!

Roy — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:40:43 +0000

If you are a Taxi driver in Ireland and are somehow surviving……..GOOD NEWS, this is probably as bad as it’s going to get, you should now be able to plan, budget on your current income and expenditure and hopefully your life will improve going forward.

That was always the best we were ever going to get from the commission/ advisory council and I am thankful that finally they saw sense and found some solutions that just might save an industry that is hanging on by the barest thread.

My biggest hope lies with

The single transferability of current licences and even then only to a car aged 3 years or less:

This give existing members a way out, although the buyers for plates given those conditions (new car and no resale value) will be diminished

The non transferability of new licences and that they must be from an existing holder or for a new wheelchair accessible vehicle:

This does away with the speculator driver, once again the new entrant will have to decide that they want to enter this business and make a proper go of it and not with the temporary “if I don’t like it I’ll sell up” attitude.

Eventually the non transferability of all plates will see a reduction of licences overall, as people retire/die or move into other employments, combined with a slower flow of drivers into the business (those that do will be a higher calibre of person, having decided they want to make a proper go in the business and parting with significant funds to do so)

Other ideas within the announcement will also help:

Proper regulation of Rental sector

Proper checks on social welfare fraud, double jobbers

Proper enforcement overall

The job is not over but finally I have some Hope and maybe just maybe we will no longer have to partake in protest action……..maybe they are beginning to LISTEN !

Victory? The Announcement

Roy — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:54:45 +0000

Commission for Taxi Regulation Announces Further Reforms
(October 15th 2009) The Commission for Taxi Regulation has today announced the next stage of reforms for the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry following its most recent public consultation process. The Commission sought and received advice on the reforms from the Advisory Council to the Commission and completed Regulatory Impact Assessment and legal considerations on the reforms which will be implemented on a phased basis, between now and 2012.
“These measures are a natural progression in our ongoing reform of the industry. They are also a proactive response to the recommendations contained within the Goodbody Economic Review and our consultations with industry and consumers,” commented Commissioner for Taxi Regulation Kathleen Doyle.
“In the last five years, the Commission has undertaken a vast amount of work in bringing reform and improvement to the Small Public Service Vehicle industry. There is now a national maximum taxi fare and national taximeter area, ensuring ease for the consumer nationwide, a secure and transparent national vehicle and driver licensing system, focussed industry enforcement and new vehicle and driver standards for all new entrants to the industry. Statistics show that consumers are getting a higher quality service than at any previous time, that taxi usage is increasing and that formal complaints made to the Commission are falling.
These reforms look to build on that success. A key concern of the Commission is that the SPSV fleet meets its accessibility objective. As it is individuals with disabilities who are often most reliant on the door-to-door service offered by taxis, the Commission believes that there is a need to increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles and improve the availability of those already licensed to provide a service.
Many of the other reforms listed below were contained within our previous schedule for future activity, but we have been given a clear indication, notably by industry, that there is an appetite for change sooner rather than later. As such, these measures are aimed specifically at dramatically and quickly continuing to improve the standard of the fleet and the knowledge of those operating it.
We firmly believe that at the conclusion of this reform period, that Ireland will have an SPSV fleet it can be proud of and the consumers and the industry will greatly benefit. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that participated in the public consultation process and the members of the Advisory Council for their input and advice” she concluded.
Reforms Outlined
All new licences to be Wheelchair Accessible only
•
It is a Commission priority to ensure that people with disabilities have access to high quality vehicles. To meet the Commission’s objective for the provision of accessible services, the Commission will issue new taxi and hackney licences for wheelchair accessible vehicles only from 2010. All such vehicles will have to meet new vehicle standards for Wheelchair Accessible taxis/hackneys which were published by the Commission in 2007.
•
The Commission will continue to monitor entry to the industry at regular intervals. Should service levels to consumers be impacted the Commission will reconsider issuing standard taxi licences to ensure effective competition and supply.
•
This will be run in conjunction with a number of other measures to better match the supply and demand for wheelchair accessible services in the sector.
Ending Transferability of Taxi Licences
•
To ensure the second hand market value of licences does not artificially increase following the new entry requirements, any new taxi licences issued will not be transferable.
•
Existing taxi licences will be transferable only once more and will only be processed if the licence is being transferred to a standard saloon vehicle under three years old thereby ensuring that people entering the industry will do so at a high standard.
Introduction of a Fleet Licence
•
The Commission will investigate the feasibility of a fleet licence for multiple vehicle licence holders, considering the most appropriate licensing criteria and operational model. This will enable multiple licence holders with a fleet of vehicles employing drivers and those renting/leasing licences and licensed vehicles to continue to create driver employment in the industry and maximise vehicle utilisation, but allow for greater transparency for enforcement purposes.
Fast Tracking of Nine Year Rule
•
At present, all new entrants to the standard taxi / hackney business must have a vehicle less than nine years old. This will now become the law for all operators from January 2011. The original date announced was 2012, however, 25% of the standard taxi and hackney fleet are now over the age of nine years, some by a number of years. The Commission appreciates that there are cost implications for drivers; nevertheless, this must be balanced against the requirement for those operating to be fully committed to the business and providing a high quality service.
•
To ensure the existing fleet maintains a high standard the Commission will also introduce the nine-year rule for current licence holders who change their vehicle from 2010. The remaining vehicle standards for incumbents will continue to be phased in on renewal of licence in 2012.
Enhanced Driver Licensing Requirements
•
The Commission will collect further relevant information during the driver licensing process next year. This will likely include details of other employment, PPS number and more frequent production of tax clearance certificates. This would also enable the Commission to provide information to other Enforcement Agencies and would assist the Commission in building a profile of the industry.
Fast Tracking of Driver Skills Development Programme
•
To deliver a consistent high standard of drivers in the industry, the Commission intends to fast track the Driver Skills Development Programme for existing drivers. The original timescale was for all drivers to undertaken the test on renewal of their licence from 2012. As the licence granted by the Gardaí is for five years it could be some considerable time before drivers would need to undertake the programme and pass the test. The Commission now aims to ensure that SPSV driver licence holders will have undertaken the programme prior to 1st January 2012.
Compliance & Enforcement
•
The Commission will complete and announce the results of a review of potential approaches, including the use of roof signs, to making it easier to identify where a driver is licensed to stand or ply for hire. Options will be provided to both the Advisory Council and industry representative bodies to seek their views.
•
The Commission will continue with multiple agency operations, building on information sharing programme formally established between An Garda Síochána, Revenue Commissioners and Dept of Family & Social Affairs.
•
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle licence holders receive a discounted licence which is subject to conditions; one of which is they provide a service to people with disabilities. The Commission will introduce stronger penalties for drivers of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles that fail to provide a service to people with disabilities, when requested to do so.
In addition to these reforms, the Commission is also moving forward with its Action Plan for 2010-2011 which will have a strong focus on the move of the administration of driver licensing from An Garda Síochána to the Commission among other regulatory developments and actions.
The Commission will organise a series of meetings with industry representatives around the country to explain the reforms in detail and any answer any questions they may have on their rollout.
Ends

Passenger Refusing to Pay

Roy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:11:38 +0000

Picked up four lads in Stoneybatter last Saturday. appropriate as they’d been on the batter, you know the type all RAH RAH HEY HEY, singing alternative lyrics to perfectly good songs and wondering why your not laughing at their facile jokes.

It’s all part of the job so I tried to take it in good spirit and smiled along as best I could, they wanted to go to Heaven Night Club in Blanchardstown and were asking questions about it during the trip, “would they get in”, “does it get good crowds” and so on……. as it had been recommended by someone outside Mc Gowans after they’d been refused entry there. I answered as best I could based on previous drops I’d made to the venue…saying they’d need to relax a little before approaching the venue and that they’d fit right in with the crowd.

However when we arrived at the venue …..it was closed for renovations, the front passenger wasn’t happy suggesting I knew it was closed and had brought them out to Blanch’ just for the fare, one of the lads in the back agreed and said that they shouldn’t have to pay, thankfully the other two decided it wasn’t my fault and had the money to pay………eventually I brought them to an apartment in Carpenterstown (a much quieter trip)

I did feel a little guilty for not knowing Heaven wasn’t open, but I’m not sure it’s possible to keep track of all the closures and changes to opening hours in recent times and I certainly didn’t accept that I should be out of pocket as a result…….what do you reckon?