Press release on behalf of Taxi representative groups
National Private Hire & Taxi Association, (NPHTA)
Irish Taxi Drivers Federation (ITDF)
Taxi Alliance of Ireland, (TAI)
Tiomanai Tacsai na hEireann, (TTNH)
Taxi Drivers will protest on September15th 2020.
Taxi drivers have been over looked during this pandemic and will take to the streets to highlight the following issues:
1 A requirement to provide a Financial package to help drivers get back to work.
This should include a Temporary weekly subsidy similar to wage subsidy given to employees.Grants to assist in fixed costs estimated by National Transport Authority at €11,433 P/A and increased costs due to pandemic.
Licence renewals should be issued free of charge and interest free loans should be made available.
2 The retention and continued access to bus lanes and access to Quality Bus Corridors (QBC) is vitally important for drivers. business people do not want to sit in traffic. Dublin city council's lack of engagement with representative bodies regarding traffic public consultation and lack of planning for taxi access at major events needs to be addressed.
3 A moratorium on the issuing of taxi licences needs to be implemented until business levels start to approach Pre pandemic figures.
4 All vehicles in the fleet should be allowed a two year extension on age limit requirements. This would allow cars to stay in the fleet up to 12 years old.
5 The Taxi Advisory committee is not fit for purpose. This was highlighted through our appearance during our submission to the covid committee. Recently two representatives resigned from the Taxi Advisory committee when it became apparent the department of transport would not accept the advice given by the committee. The TAC needs to be disbanded for a national transport forum allowing all bodies who use the public roads a forum to input positively to the transport system of Ireland.
For further information you can contact
Jim Waldron NPHTA email
Jimwaldron11@gmail.comDavid Mcguinness TTNH email;
ttnh2012@gmail.comGerard Macken TAI email
Thetaxiallianceofireland@gmail.comJoe Heron ITDF : email
irishtaxifederation@gmail.com