DCC wish list: ban taxis from bus lanes (sometimes)

[watty]

Taxis may be banned from some bus lanes under Dublin City Council plans (Irish Times, 29 Aug 2020)

Taxis would be banned from some of Dublin’s bus lanes under plans Dublin City Council has submitted to Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan for consideration.

The local authority submitted a document, titled a “traffic wish list”, detailing 17 changes it was seeking when it met Mr Ryan last month. It outlines plans to “alter” bus lane regulations “to facilitate banning of taxis from certain bus lanes either completely or for specific periods” such as during rush hours.

It also suggests banning rickshaws and calls for “appropriate regulation to address genuine safety concerns” around electric scooters, although it acknowledges their potential contribution towards “sustainable travel”.

The council’s document also outlines a new system of “camera based enforcement” for red light running and the illegal use of bus lanes, which would be carried out by the National Transport Authority (NTA). It states that the Garda were enforcing red light running “using City Council equipment for a short period but have stopped doing it,” and that there “is no legislative provision for (the) use of cameras for enforcing bus lane restrictions”.

The meeting with Mr Ryan was attended by two Green Party councillors and senior council officials including chief executive Owen Keegan. Sources suggested the ideas proposed were largely suggested by the officials rather than councillors.

<snip>

    

[john m]

You were all told they wanted this years ago its in the City traffic plan when a Fella stood up in the Transport Club and said we should try to get somebody onto DCC nobody was interested attacking Kitties Office was more important .At the time there was only 1 Green Councillor on DCC and Montique from Lab who managed to hijack the Transport Chairmanship on the Council .The time to fightback was 8 or 10 years ago YOU WERE TOLD .

[john m]

I remember commenting on this when the taxi act was Passed by the Dail .Where it said cameras on ranks this would be used to introduce traffic Cameras .They can fit cameras on Bus lanes to catch civilian cars and say they are to monitor taxis in line with the Taxi act, catching civilian law breakers would just be a by product the law would have to deal with .The taxi act has introduced into law that they can use cameras to monitor our trade and not compromise other peoples civil rights .I was always concerned the Irish Society  for Civil Liberties never questioned fitting Cameras on ranks as it meant passengers were being observed .We must display a sticker warning we have CCTV on board but Rank Cameras .

[Octavia1]

I remember commenting on this when the taxi act was Passed by the Dail .Where it said cameras on ranks this would be used to introduce traffic Cameras .They can fit cameras on Bus lanes to catch civilian cars and say they are to monitor taxis in line with the Taxi act, catching civilian law breakers would just be a by product the law would have to deal with .The taxi act has introduced into law that they can use cameras to monitor our trade and not compromise other peoples civil rights .I was always concerned the Irish Society  for Civil Liberties never questioned fitting Cameras on ranks as it meant passengers were being observed .We must display a sticker warning we have CCTV on board but Rank Cameras .

The reason they want taxis off the lanes is because of the ammount of diesel shite heaps blokes are still diving ......them 2010 - 12 avensis that used to trow out big clouds of unburnt fuel in a cloud of smoke did the image no favours
And renters driving shite heaps spewing out blue smoke from worn out engines .....I'm not surprised that the cycle brigade are dead against taxis ....and they are absolutely correct ....wasnt the nct centres takin back handers from
Taxi renters  putting tru high mileage shite heaps that wer spewing out shite and clouds of deadly gases......madness .....eamon ryan will allow fully electric taxis into the bus lanes ide say ....to force the rest of us to follow suit and buy all electric.....I doubt heel compromise with hybrid....its still burning petrol .....twill be a great opportunity for freenow to offer to supply ireland with full electric taxis for rental only and get rid of the  owner diesel brigade with ther tracksuits , big bellies , and filthy antiques spewing out shite ....I wonder wud ther be a job for me in freenow ? Wer do I send me cv

[john m]

The reason they want taxis off the road is to promote bus ,luas and trains .They are spending to much coin subsidising them at the moment due to lack of users .simple as .You can bet there will be no restrictions on use of bus lanes by taxies between about 8pm and 6 am .When busses cant make coin.

[Octavia1]

The reason they want taxis off the road is to promote bus ,luas and trains .They are spending to much coin subsidising them at the moment due to lack of users .simple as .You can bet there will be no restrictions on use of bus lanes by taxies between about 8pm and 6 am .When busses cant make coin.

It's another nail in our coffin all the same .....unless taxis become fully " environmentally friendly " in the greens eyes
The buses are all goin hybrid now .....I believe they givin trouble an cant get up hills without a heart attack....
But on paper they eamonn an his ilk a step in the right direction....apparently all the buses now in china are electric....
Ide say a diesels taxi operating in dublins days are numbered ...and I'm not talkin years away atall atall

[john m]

your probably right by 2020 all electric so dont be surprised if they issue guidance that renewals after say 2025 must be hybrids .

[Rat Catcher]

Makes sense given the concerns expressed by taxi drivers and bosses about our suitability to the new normal. Maybe bus lanes should be open to all vehicles with a minimum of 4 occupants?

[Shallowhal]

Makes sense given the concerns expressed by taxi drivers and bosses about our suitability to the new normal. Maybe bus lanes should be open to all vehicles with a minimum of 4 occupants?

Would they have to be from the same family..or mix n match?

[Rat Catcher]

Same commuter bubble, I guess... with a possible exception for taxis, hackneys and limousines/clapped out shiteboxes masquerading as limousines.

[Justin Time]

The Green Party are more concerned about getting everyone on bikes,the removal of cars from the Phoenix Park  and the pedestrianisation of streets, nothing else matters it seems.
The cycle lobby in recent times have become extremely vocal and are having a huge influence upon the Green nutters. ( ive no time for the greens, they live in la la land as far as im concerned.

Not so long ago I was in discussion with a member of the cycle lobby group (this was on social media).
He was advocating for the removal of cars on College Green and complete pedestrianisation of the area.

When I pointed out to him that it would mean the removal of the only 2 viable taxi ranks in the city and this would impact on their earnings, his reply was and I quote "I couldnt give a shit about taxi drivers".

I rest my case.

[Theoneandonly]

I'd be able to get a limo/hack licence and  get rid of the meter, roffie and sticker, the only reason I keep the taxi licence is for the bus lanes

[john m]

Bit of Insider trading ,if this was OH  is a Limited Company the CEO would be asked to explain to the Board what the fuck he was up to and probably fired https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/dublin-city-council-chief-executive-apologises-for-secret-meeting-with-eamon-ryan-1015522.html   .   

[Shallowhal]

If ever you needed to know the shit on their shoe we really are....banning taxis from bus lanes during rush hour....says it all really,taxis don't impede buses...it's the other way round and given that the NTA are involved just taps the nail even further,quite happy to take fees and whatever else they profit from and give absolutely fukall back.

[Tony]

Strike?