As part of the 2014 Roads Policing Plan, An Garda Síochána will target taxis and hackneys (Small Public Service Vehicles – SPSVs) nationally this weekend for breaches of SPSV and other Road Traffic Act offences.
The aim is to identify rogue drivers or vehicles plus ensure compliance with all SPSV regulations.
Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, head of the Traffic Corps, commented:-
"There are currently 30,111 drivers licensed and 21,672* vehicles licensed around the country. The vast number of these drivers and vehicles are compliant with all SPSV regulations, however there are some that are not.
This weekend we will target unlicensed vehicles or drivers, as well as those that are not fit for purpose or are in breach of other SPSV regulations. Not only do illegal taxis or hackneys affect the livelihood of legitimate SPSV members, but they could potentially pose a threat to any passengers that are carried. These drivers are un-vetted and do not have the required insurance to carry passengers for reward.”
Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly T.D., said:
"The taxi market relies on consumer confidence in a safe, reliable and high quality SPSV service. I believe that the new emphasis by Gardai on the taxi sector will ensure that consumers will have that confidence in the sector and the taxi drivers that do their jobs professionally will be rewarded by the market. Enforcement is the biggest issue taxi drivers always raise and I welcome this move by An Garda Síochána.”
The recent Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides strengthened and updated powers to regulate the SPSV industry including:-
A proportionate system for mandatory disqualification from holding a licence upon having a serious criminal conviction;
A system for revocation or suspension of a licence for contraventions of the SPSV regulations;
A demerit scheme to deal with recurrent breaches of the SPSV regulations;
Enabling powers for An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charge notices with respect to certain SPSV offences
Enforcement at taxi ranks involving use of CCTV and other apparatus.
Assistant Commissioner Twomey added:-
"An Garda Síochána welcomes the recently introduced Taxi Regulation Act 2013, which creates a number of licensing offences plus other SPSV related offences. These new regulations will make the industry safer not only for drivers, but also for members of the public, so we ask that every member of the public ensures that they only use a legitimate taxi or hackney every time.”
Note:
The operation this weekend is one of ten planned SPSV operations that will take place nationwide in 2014.
*as of 30th April 2014 – National Transport Authority website.
** Taxi Driver Check App
Ireland’s taxi driver check app allows taxi users to verify that the vehicle that they are about to hire has been correctly registered and that the driver has the appropriate licence to operate the vehicle. There is also the facility to email a friend with trip details. You can download the app free from the Apple App store for iPhone and iPad, or Google Play store for Android devices.
Upon downloading the app, you will be asked to provide your name, email and friend’s email in order to register. The driver check allows users to search by the car registration number, the vehicle taxi licence number, the taxi driver licence number or by scanning the appropriate QR code printed on the vehicle. If the information appears incorrect, it is possible to submit a report.
The app covers licensed taxis, hackneys, limos and SPSVs across both rural and urban locations including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. There is a history section that stores all of your searches. It is a handy tool that ensures your safety and comfort when hiring a driver or vehicle.
Regulations that apply to all SPSVs:
All SPSVs, irrespective of their licence category, must:
• Have an active vehicle licence (as shown on the tamper-proof licence discs);
• Have the tamper-proof licence discs displayed in the front and rear windows of the vehicle. (Exception: vintage vehicles in the limousine category that are over 30 years old are exempt from the requirement to display a rear disc.);
• Be fully roadworthy (it is illegal to operate with a faulty vehicle);
• Carry the required safety equipment:
• Not carry more passengers than indicated on the tamper-proof licence discs.
Taxis and wheelchair accessible taxis must have:
• A taximeter calibrated and verified with the current National Maximum Taxi Fare and connected to a printer;
• A regulation roof sign;
• Approved taxi branding applied to the front doors.;
• No other signage on the front doors;
• No advertisements and/or signs exceeding 1,600 square centimetres on any other door.
• No sign that can be seen from outside the vehicle providing the name, details or logo of any industry representative group.
Additional Rules of Operation for Hackneys and Limousines
In operation, hackneys must:
• Agree the fare to be charged in advance (the fare is not calculated on a taximeter);
• Provide a written receipt containing specific information on payment of the fare;
• Be pre-booked (may not be hailed on the street or stand for hire at a taxi rank);
• From the time of receipt of the notification of the hire to its completion, carry a document in the vehicle showing the details of the booking (name of hirer, starting point and destination, fare agreed);
• Not use bus lanes;
• Not display signs or advertisements except as prescribed by the National Transport Authority.
For additional information see www.transportforireland.ie
