Irish Taxi News Magazine

Taxing TaxisRevenue taRgets taxis

new acTion Plan RegulatoR defends RefoRms

Had a Hard day?seeking help foR stRess

taxinewsGlobal taxisLeading the FieLd

ElEctric taxis | BrokE But friEndly | car costs | taxi VouchErs | duBlin lEisurE GuidE | farE rEViEw | MailBox | taxi nEws | tacklinG thE taxi crisis

Representing full-time taxi Drivers nationwide

thE only official MaGazinE of thE irish taxi driVErs fEdEration

40 The Taxi Magazine The Taxi Magazine 41

PSV.ie is a division of South Dublin Autos, the largest Irish supplier of taxi products, accessories and services, and its purpose is to showcase available services and products, and to keep PSV drivers informed about latest news in the industry. A PSV forum is also available where taxi industry related topics can be discussed.

An on-line taxi shop where you can purchase taxi meters, printers, safety kits, and lots more.

Taxi fitters location map for authorised meters and printers fitting.

Visit our online taxi shop. Here you can buy online taxi meters, taxi printers or taxi meter and printer roof sign package, paper rools, and other taxi accessories. Products delivered within 48 hours.

FREE TORCH with every online order

FREE UV TORCH (counterfeit notes detector) with all orders over €50

FREE INSTALLATION/FITTING for any product purchased online

free installation/fitting services available only on our

premisses at 371-385 South Circular Rd, Rialto, Dublin 8

Auto ServicesAt South Dublin Autos we offer a wide range of services that will suit all your needs. We service, repair and diagnose mechanical and electrical faults in cars and commercial vehicles(vans, 4x4’s etc). We also supply and fit audio-video systems, GPS and alarms.

Qualified technicians available for all your needs. We are members of the Society of Irish Motoring Industry and we offer high standard services at affordable prices. Our trained technicians are specialised in petrol and diesel engines, manual and automatic gearboxes, all mechanical repairs and all electrical or electronics diagnostics and repairs. We also provide Taxi accessories fitting services.

Taxi RentalsHere at South Dublin Autos we provide taxis and taxi plates for rent for short or long term. Our vehicles are up to the NCT and Taxi Regulator standards, and are maintained in-house by our qualified technicians. We always have vehicles and plates available for rent, so if you need a taxi today, just give us a call. taxis for rent short and long term

Looking for a complete taxi to rent for short or long term?

• We have saloons, 7 and 8 seaters available for rent. • We can supply the vehicles with affordable insurance if required. • All vehicles are tested, taxed and fully fitted, ready for work. • Vehicle maintenance provided. • Long or short term rentals available.

• No contract required.

In order to rent a taxi you need to provide a valid PSV licence and insurance (if you have your own). A one week deposit is required before you can drive away.

For complete taxi rental rates call: 01-4733331 or 01-4732380

Taxi Plate Rentals - short and long termWe provide Taxi Plates for rent. If you have a car you can save money on rentals, by only renting the plate.

• Taxi plates for short or long term rental. • Taxi Meter included. • Taxi Printer included. • Taxi Roofsign included.

In order to rent a taxi plate you need to provide a valid PSV licence. A one week deposit and meter / printer fitting charges apply. We also rent Taxi plate only ,if you already have a fitted taxi meter and printer.

For taxi plate rental rates call: 01-4733331 or 01-4732380SIMI

TAXI SHOPTaxi Safety Kits Taxi Meters Taxi Printers Roofsigns Taxi Accessories Hands Free Car Kits Car Stereos GPS PDA Phones

OPENING HOURSDublin Branch open: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5:30 PM Sunday Closed Bank Holidays Closed

Tel: 01-4733331 / 01-4732380www.psv.ie

40 The Taxi Magazine The Taxi Magazine 41

PSV.ie is a division of South Dublin Autos, the largest Irish supplier of taxi products, accessories and services, and its purpose is to showcase available services and products, and to keep PSV drivers informed about latest news in the industry. A PSV forum is also available where taxi industry related topics can be discussed.

An on-line taxi shop where you can purchase taxi meters, printers, safety kits, and lots more.

Taxi fitters location map for authorised meters and printers fitting.

Visit our online taxi shop. Here you can buy online taxi meters, taxi printers or taxi meter and printer roof sign package, paper rools, and other taxi accessories. Products delivered within 48 hours.

FREE TORCH with every online order

FREE UV TORCH (counterfeit notes detector) with all orders over €50

FREE INSTALLATION/FITTING for any product purchased online

free installation/fitting services available only on our

premisses at 371-385 South Circular Rd, Rialto, Dublin 8

Auto ServicesAt South Dublin Autos we offer a wide range of services that will suit all your needs. We service, repair and diagnose mechanical and electrical faults in cars and commercial vehicles(vans, 4x4’s etc). We also supply and fit audio-video systems, GPS and alarms.

Qualified technicians available for all your needs. We are members of the Society of Irish Motoring Industry and we offer high standard services at affordable prices. Our trained technicians are specialised in petrol and diesel engines, manual and automatic gearboxes, all mechanical repairs and all electrical or electronics diagnostics and repairs. We also provide Taxi accessories fitting services.

Taxi RentalsHere at South Dublin Autos we provide taxis and taxi plates for rent for short or long term. Our vehicles are up to the NCT and Taxi Regulator standards, and are maintained in-house by our qualified technicians. We always have vehicles and plates available for rent, so if you need a taxi today, just give us a call. taxis for rent short and long term

Looking for a complete taxi to rent for short or long term?

• We have saloons, 7 and 8 seaters available for rent. • We can supply the vehicles with affordable insurance if required. • All vehicles are tested, taxed and fully fitted, ready for work. • Vehicle maintenance provided. • Long or short term rentals available.

• No contract required.

In order to rent a taxi you need to provide a valid PSV licence and insurance (if you have your own). A one week deposit is required before you can drive away.

For complete taxi rental rates call: 01-4733331 or 01-4732380

Taxi Plate Rentals - short and long termWe provide Taxi Plates for rent. If you have a car you can save money on rentals, by only renting the plate.

• Taxi plates for short or long term rental. • Taxi Meter included. • Taxi Printer included. • Taxi Roofsign included.

In order to rent a taxi plate you need to provide a valid PSV licence. A one week deposit and meter / printer fitting charges apply. We also rent Taxi plate only ,if you already have a fitted taxi meter and printer.

For taxi plate rental rates call: 01-4733331 or 01-4732380SIMI

TAXI SHOPTaxi Safety Kits Taxi Meters Taxi Printers Roofsigns Taxi Accessories Hands Free Car Kits Car Stereos GPS PDA Phones

OPENING HOURSDublin Branch open: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5:30 PM Sunday Closed Bank Holidays Closed

Tel: 01-4733331 / 01-4732380www.psv.ie

taxi safety kit the kit includes: 2kg abc fire extinguisher to eN3 standard,first aid kit DiN 13164 standard ,High-viz vest eN471 standard, Warning triangle e marked to 27R standard, Led torch, paper and pen.

€39

(the “Pay as you go” virtual dispatch company) and please check out our web site for more info!

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Taxi News

Official magazine Of the irish taxi Drivers feDeratiOn | 7

8. The Bad Old Days Being a taxi driver in the 1960‘s was difficult but today is far worse.

10 Letters Page Letters from readers.

12 Mailbox Correspondence from the Federation highlights the major

issues of the day.

16 Federation News Up-to-date news and the latest issues facing the taxi trade.

22 Plan of Action Details of the new action plan announced by the taxi regulator.

24 In Defence of the Regulator Taxi Regulator, Kathleen Doyle argues that her reform

programme will ultimately be of benefit to taxi drivers.

28 Quizmaster Test your movie and entertainment knowledge with the

Terry Collins quiz.

32 Going Global Ireland’s largest and most successful taxi company reveals

the secrets of its success.

39 Taxi Travel Pass Free vouchers for elderly citizens in rural areas and other initiatives

which might help increase demand for taxis.

42 Quality brakes Mintex – the perfect ‘fit’ for high volume brake pad users.

44 Taxing Taxis The Revenue Commissioners target the taxi industry.

47 Searching for Solutions Dublin city councilor, Bill Tormey offers some possible

solutions to the taxi crisis.

50 No Entry More than 100 people have been refused a taxi license

in the last three years.

53 Acquired Rights Existing license holders should be entitled to an acquired

right with no examination or assessment required.

56 Seeking Help Help is at hand for stressed-out taxi drivers who are

increasingly prone to depression.

59 Complaints Almost two-thirds of complaints about taxi drivers involve over-charging.

60 Talking Taxis John Ussher discusses the efforts being made by the Federation to

improve the situation for taxi drivers.

65 Car Costs Simple steps to reduce the costs of running your taxi.

67 Electric Avenue Is there a future for electric taxis?

70 Friendly Fares Irish taxi drivers score high marks for friendliness.

72 Out & About in Dublin A guide to the best leisure and entertainment in the capital.

78 Convention Centre Introducing Ireland’s new world-class convention centre.

Contents

FoR ALL SALES AND MARKETINg qUERIES, pLEASE CoNTACT KEvIN HogAN – FEATURES MANAgER:TEL: 01 – 833 0560 EMAIL: [email protected]

President of the Irish Taxi Federation John Ussher

pictured with features Manager of Taxi News, Kevin Hogan.

Taxi News

8 | offiCial magazine of the irish taxi Drivers feDeration

Bring BaCk the olD Days.Being a taxi driver in the sixties was difficult and required long hours for a small return, but today the situation is even worse, according to John Ussher President of the Irish Taxi Federation.

drivers will blame the reps for not doing enough but believe me we tried and will continue to try and make this job better. Deregulation was rushed into by the government. They and they alone are the ones that got it wrong. The courts did not deregulate. It was the minister. Our view at the time and it is still is our view that he did not have to deregulate.

It is our view he rushed in and got it wrong and today’s taxi drivers are paying the price. In the year 2003, the first taxi bill went through the Dail and this bill was to see a taxi regulator appointed. Did this help? Taxi drivers will say, no way and the more you look at the changes that have been made and the costx involved you understand why. P.S.V. drivers license £3 to 250 Euros, yearly suitability, nine year old car. Drivers having to sit exams before renewing P.S.V. licenses from 2012. Even though they have already had to pass exams to get their license. Comply with new license conditions in 2012 which will see some existing taxi drivers having to change their car or go out of business, even though it may only be five years old and on H/P. No airport pick up charge, no luggage charge, etc. etc.

I know all the changes and extra costs have been hard to take and with very little work out there at present, it makes it

Driving a taxi in the 60's was

hard, working long hours for small money. Too many double jobbers did not help. We had phones on the ranks which did help. A taxi plate cost £3... You could get insurance for about £60. I bought a Ford Zepher that

was five years old for £300 and paid for it over 30 months. Before I bought my Ford I had been a cosy and rented a Merc for £7.50 a week. That included repairs, insurance, etc. The fare from

the city to the airport was 10/6, about 72 cent. You could get to Cork for

£16, Belfast for £10, etc. Small money but we survived. I

think the amount of taxis in Dublin was less than 500. Now there is almost thirty times that number and we know you will look at how hard it is for taxi drivers who are finding it very hard to make ends meet and I know how

bad it is on the road.

Today, some

You could get to Cork for £16, Belfast for £10

Taxi News

offiCial magazine of the irish taxi Drivers feDeration | 9

Bring BaCk the olD Days.

even harder. So you may ask what we have achieved by sitting around the table talking.

The main achievement has been that only wheelchair accessible licenses for taxis and hackneys will now be issued and they have to comply with the new criteria. If we had not been sitting around the table you would have had to comply with the 9 year old car from January 2010. You would not be getting the D for Dublin, C for Cork symbol on your sign. We are at present trying to get phones on all ranks. We also want to get rid of part time taxi drivers. We would like to see a compliance certificate instead of a pass or fail on the test for existing taxi drivers. Extra ranks are the responsibility of the local councils and to stop licenses is the Ministers function and like you I hope things get better for taxi drivers. One thing for sure is that they can’t get much worse.John Ussher

Cut PriCe taxis

I never thought I would see the day that a Dublin taxi would have a sign on its roof saying 20% off the fare. I had to look a second time and there it was, 20% off the fare. I had known price cutting had been going on but had never seen it on the roof of a taxi. Where did it all start? Most taxi drivers would say radio taxi companies. Why did it start? Was it greed?one taxi driver in a taxi company previously told me that they had to do it to hold on to their business. But if that is true why did they go to other taxi companies customers and offer them cut price deals and where will it all end. Rumour has it that some companies are offering customers of other companies 40% off.If that is true, it is disgraceful behaviour. I’m also told the drivers have no input into price cutting. It is forced on them. It has to stop before more taxi drivers are forced out of the business and the drivers should have the last say. After all it is their livelihood. In the 1980's, I was asked to chair a meeting of taxi radio companies and we got an agreement that the only way to tender for work was with the fare card and compete with one another on the service.

John Ussher

Taxi News - Letters pages

10 | Official magazine Of the irish taxi Drivers feDeratiOn

letters PagesThe following letters are just some of the correspondence sent to Taxi News by members of the Federation.

pLATES?

Dear EditorI had a passenger in my car who told me John Ussher had lots of plates and lost over one million when the business was deregulated. Is this true?

Not true.“I came into the business in the 60’s as a cosy and bought a taxi plate in 1968 and from that date to the present, I have never owned more than one plate which I still own today.”

John Ussher.

CUT pRICE

Dear Editor,

Radio companies telling drivers to do cut price work. Does the company cut the base rental?

Full Price Taxi Driver.

DEREK

Dear Editor,

60 Years old:Derek Maguire who turned 60 tells me he is in training to run the marathon this year. Wishing you well Derek.

Slow Walker

ToMMY

Dear Editor, Nice to see Tommy gorman back doing income tax. May he continue for many more years to come.

Happy Camper

Tommy can be contacted on 086 810 7170

9 YEAR RULE

Dear Editor, Just a quick note to say my goodbye.

The 9 year rule comes in January 2011. I can not get credit to replace my car so it looks like the end of the line for me, come January. It’s the dole queue for me.

9 Year Old Car Driver.

JoHNNY WALKER

Dear Editor,

Is there any truth in the rumour that Johnny walker is 104 years of age? John Ussher says no he is in his late 60’s and is still one of the best refs in the league even if patsy Browne does not think so and Doreen says Johnny is even better than John Travolta when it comes to dancing.

Jealous Taxi Driver

Letters pages - Taxi News


Owned & directed by Emmett O’ Reilly SKAN ATM provide a service to Taxi Drivers in Dublin and Ireland from their base at 38b Barrow Rd Dublin industrial estate Glasnevin Dublin 11.

Emmett having served his time in the taxi industry as a driver and the auto electrical business in Ireland has meant Emmett & SKAN ATM has gained great respect from his peers for his ability and knowledge. The experience Emmett has built up since he started and shares with his team, is complemented with his friendly approach to his large database of customers and his ability to look after each one as best as possible. This policy at SKAN ATM is to treat every customer that walks through the door with respect and this has proved to be the foundation of the success of this thriving business. As the old saying goes “you have tried the rest now try the best” has meant that Emmett and his dedicated team of taximeter fitters and staff has enjoyed the loyalty of their customers and they in turn have received a service second to none.

During this interview Emmett has asked taxi news to let his loyal customers know that there is fictitious rumors going around that SKAN ATM have moved premises. This is untrue, they are operating at barrow rd Dublin industrial estate Glasnevin and have no intention of moving.

SKAN ATM is the only taximeter installer offering their services 7 days a week, so you should never be off the road if your taximeter breaks down. They are conveniently located in Glasnevin, on the Barrow Road, in the Dublin Industrial Estate, less than ten minutes from the M50 following the N2 inbound.

By calling 01-8309000 or Mobile breakdown No 0871421477 you will be sure to be back on the road as soon as possible, they are now offering a full vehicle breakdown recovery service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by also calling their dedicated taxi hotline 01-8309000

At SKAN ATM they also supply a full mechanical service and supply and fit tyres, puncture repairs, Repair alternators and starter motors, car phone kits, car alarms, car accessories, etc.

There is a car accessory shop on site that stocks everything that taxi drivers require including bulbs - car mats - car polish – air fresheners – coin holders – magnetic 2 way radio aerials – leather seat covers there is also great deals on part worn tyres etc., the list is endless.

The company's principle business is supplying and installing kienzle Argo & taxitronic taximeters – printers - & roof signs, they also supply and fit taxi safety equipment and if you buy your kit off them they will install your fire extinguisher free of charge.

You can now also have your car seats covered in waterproof velour type leather, tailor-made and tailor fitted for only €320.

There is also a special, offer for all taxi magazine readers new taximeter – printer & roof sign supplied and fitted for €600 with this advert and also new terminal printer supplied and fitted for €200 and Printer ribbons and paper rolls from €10.

They have reduced their price for refitting your taximeter –

They haven't moved

skan automotive

printer- & roof sign from one car to another to €150 Inc vat as a special concession to all taxi magazine readers with this advert they also have a mobile fitting vehicle to take your equipment from your car should it be off the road they will come to you

With new TAXI regulations coming in place since June their professional car valeting service is available and they will call to your home to valet your taxi or you can have it done while you're having your taximeter fitted they also supply and fit brake pads tyres and you can have your oil and air filter changed from €120 depending on make and model of vehicle

If you have a kienzle argo taximeter, SKAN ATM are your ONLY official authorized installer and no one else is authorised.

CONTACT INFORMATIONNeVer MiND iMPOsters tHeres ONLY ONe sKaN a M tHe NaMetaxi Dri Vers CaN trust sKaN atM teL taxi HOtLiNe 01-8309000 or 01-8308130 or 01-8556717sKaN atMtHe taxi CeNterKieNZLe arGO taxi Meter iNsta LLers & DistriButOrsYOur ONe stOP taxi sHOP38B BarrOW rD GLasNeViN DuBLiN 11teL 01-8309000 MOB 0872822686 teL 01-8308130 Fax 01-8600152 MOB 0871421477 www.taxishop.ie



The following correspondence provides a sample of some of the main issues which the Federation is pursuing on behalf of members.

An Garda SiochanaSuperintendent,Dublin Metropolitan Region,Regional Traffic Division,An Garda Siochana,Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

12th May 2010

Dear John,

re: re-LOCatiON OF tHe GarDa CarriaGe OFFiCe DuBLiN CastLe tO GarDa COMPLex, sHaNOWeN rOaD, saNtrY, DuBLiN 9.

I am to inform you that from Monday May 17th 2010, the Carriage office will be re-located to the garda Complex, Shanowen Road, Santry, Dublin 9.

The following are the telephone contact numbers:

Inspectors office - (01) 666 4116

Sergeants office - (01) 666 4115

public Counter - (01) 666 4118/666 4121

Items of public property left/found in a Small public Service vehicle shall be handed into the following nominated Stations:

Finglas garda StationIrishtown garda StationShankhill garda StationStore Street garda StationTallaght garda Station

please advise all members accordingly.

Yours Sincerely,

Declan Brogan, Superintendent

mailBox

Commission for Taxi Regulation35 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.

14th April 2010

Dear Mr Ussher,

The Commission has been contacted by the Crisis pregnancy Agency regarding the “Think Contraception” health promotion campaign.

They wish to explore the feasibility of raising awareness through small public service vehicles.

Should any of your members wish to support this initiative, they can contact Mr. Enda Saul, Crisis pregnancy Agency, 89 – 94 Capel Street, Dublin 1.

Further information on the campaign can be found on www.crisispregnancy .ie

Yours Sincerely,

Kathleen Doyle, Commissioner for Taxi Regulation.

this months letter



Irish Taxi Drivers Federation48 Summerhill Parade, Dublin 1.

31st March 2010

Dear John,

You may recall that in the December budget, the Minister for Finance announced measures to support Small Medium Enterprises and Farms, including an impartial and independent scheme to provide borrowers with an opinion on any credit requests which have been refused or reduced by the banks participating in the NAMA scheme.

I am pleased to advise you that the statutory instrument creating the Credit Review office has now been enacted, and the review process now has a legal existence.

I have been working with AIB and Bank of Ireland over the past few months to ensure that their internal appeals process and procedures are ready to respond to the launch and requests from borrowers to use the review process. Hopefully more SME and farms are already having their internal appeals of credit upheld as part of these internal bank preparations.

The other NAMA banks have been made aware of the process. These institutions are presently not making new lending to SMEs and farms.

In designing the review process, I have attempted to keep the paperwork as simple as possible, but have had to balance this with the necessity of gathering sufficient information on which to base an opinion on the lending decision. I have asked the banks to complete the financial details on behalf of the borrower as this is the most time consuming part of the process.

The review process can be accessed from today on www.creditreview.ie, and a telephone helpline will be open from 7th April, on 1850 211 789 or by email at [email protected]. Information leaflets are being printed and will be in branches of AIB and Bank of Ireland in the week beginning 12th April.

I am very keen to continue to work in partnership with you to ensure that the credit supply system is working effectively, and I am sure that as in any new process that improvements and refinements can be made, and will be happy to reflect on any feedback from your organisation and its members.

Having established the credit review process I will be monitoring the outcomes of the reviews as one of the inputs to reflect on any further supply side initiatives to be recommended to the Minister of Finance to reflect on, to ensure that the SME and farm sectors get the support they need.

Finally I would be grateful for your ongoing support and would ask that you promote this process in your journal and in communications to your members.

Yours Sincerely,

John TrethowanCredit Reviewer

rsa

Mr John UssherPresidentIrish Taxi Drivers’ Federation48 Summerhill ParadeDublin 1

17 May 2010

Dear Mr Ussher,

Thank you for your letter to Mr Noel Brett, CEo in connection with an exemption for small public service vehicle drivers to wear seat belts. The points raised in your letter were forwarded to both the Commission for Taxi Regulation and the Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation. Firstly, my sincere apologies for the lateness in getting back to you but I was unable to issue a response until such time as the appropriate body reverted to ascertain the position regarding their advice in 2004.

The Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation has confirmed that they do not consider it appropriate to re-visit this matter. They have also advised that no member of the seventeen person Advisory Council has raised this issue since the exemption was removed by the Minister.

In terms of road safety, whilst you have made a case for the safety of drivers in certain circumstances, the Commission is of the view that the wearing of seat belts has contributed significantly to the reduction of road deaths and serious injuries following road traffic accidents. To re-introduce any exemption of this stage may not be warranted in the context of the significant increase in vehicles operating as SpSv’s on Irish roads and also to ensure passenger safety as well as driver safety.

I trust this clarifies the matter for you.

Yours Sincerely,

Evelyn Tuffy, Managervehicle Standards.



Mr. John Trethowan, Credit Reviewer, The Plaza,East Point Business Park,Dublin 3.

14 April 2010

Dear John,

Thank you for your letter of March 3 2010.

I intend to publish your letter in our Summer edition of Taxi News.

New regulations which will be enforced on the 1st January, 2011 is that taxi drivers will be required to have a car nine years old or less and the fear amongst taxi drivers at present is that they may not be able to get credit to purchase a car.

In the event of them failing to get credit because of their occupation it would be my intention to forward the refusals to you.

perhaps you could inform me if there is a charge involved for such referrals.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely,John D. Ussherpresident.

ANYoNE INTERESTED IN CoNTRIBUTINg NEWS oR EDIToRIAL SHoULD CoNTACT MANAgINg EDIToR, ToMMY qUINN.

EMAIL:[email protected]

taxinews.ie

taxinews.ie

email [email protected]

The official publication of the Irish Drivers Taxi Federation representing full time taxi

drivers nationwide up to date and latest news on all issues affecting the taxi industry



ANYoNE INTERESTED IN CoNTRIBUTINg NEWS oR EDIToRIAL SHoULD CoNTACT

MANAgINg EDIToR, ToMMY qUINN. EMAIL:[email protected]

Ms. Esther Hickey,Administrative Officer, Dublin City Council, Roads and Traffic Department, Block 2 Floor 4, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.4 February 2010

Dear Ms. Hickey, I have been instructed by my executive committee to write to you requesting taxi ranks for the following locations.The new Convention Centre at Spencer Dock, North Wall, Dublin 1. National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street. grand Canal Theatre.Radisson Hotel, golden Lane.New Criminal Courts, parkgate Street.Dunnes Stores, georges Street. St. patrick’s Cathedral.Eye and Ear Hospital.Bon Secours Hospital, glasnevin.Rotunda Hospital, Main Entrance, parnell Square.

Yours Sincerely,John. D. Ussher president. Dublin City Council, Roads and Traffic Administration, Roads and Traffic Department, Block 2 Floor 6, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

08th February 2010

RE: REqUEST FoR TAxI RANKS

Dear Mr Ussher, I refer to your correspondence received 08th February 2010 regarding the above. I wish to inform you that this matter has been referred to Ms Esther Hickey for her attention and direct reply.Yours Sincerely,

Martina Hayden, Assistant Staff officer.

taxinews.ie

taxinews.ie

email [email protected]

The official publication of the

Irish Drivers Taxi Federation

representing full time

taxi drivers nationwide

up to date and latest news

on all issues affecting the

taxi industry

Taxi News - News


All the latest headlines from the taxi indusry

NoTICE To MEMBERS

Notice To Members Re: Skills Test05/10/2009

Dear Members, on the 3rd December 2009 the Commission for Taxi Regulation was written to asking one specific question, which was: “Is it the intention of the Commission to remove a current incumbent’s right to drive a taxi if he/she fails this test or any subsequent re-sit on this test?”A reply was received on the 10th December 2009 which clearly states: “prior to 2012 the Skills Development programme will not be a requirement for license renewal in order to give incumbent drivers sufficient time to pass the test. The matter will then be re-visited by the Commission for the test to form part of the renewal process. However, it is mandatory that all drivers undertake the test by 2012. We the members of the Joint Taxi Council are totally opposed to this requirement. At all times we have sought a “grandfather clause” for existing license holders. We are not opposed to continued professional development. If the commission

wishes to run seminars for current license holders where drivers can attend and receive a certificate of compliance, we have no problem. once again the Commission have displayed total disregard to fair play for taxi drivers. Many other sectors have been granted exemptions for existing incumbents, e.g. bus drivers, the legal profession, accounting and nursing to name a few. This is a pass or fail exam. If you fail you will have to re-sit at a cost of €85.00 and it is our understanding that if you fail you will not be able to renew your license. The Joint Taxi Council are strongly recommending to our members not to engage in this process.Jerry Brennan,On behalf of the Joint Taxi Council

NTA MUST DEAL WITH TAxI ‘CRISIS’ URgENTLY

Chairman of the oireachtas Committee on Transport, Frank Fahey believes that The National Transport Authority (NTA) should take over the functions of the Taxi Regulator as a matter of urgency, because of the ‘‘crisis’’ in the sector. The galway TD. has also called for the industry to be policed by gardaí, rather than the existing inspectors. The NTA is due to subsume the functions of the Taxi Regulator by 2011, but Fahey’s committee believes there is an ‘‘urgent need’’ to do this sooner.Fahey has discussed the issue with gerry Murphy, the authority’s chief executive, and has also written to NTA chairman John Fitzgerald. Fahey wrote that ‘‘a number of members of the committee are anxious to have a further debate on the plight of the industry’’.

The major issues which the committee want addressed include the “significant number of illegal operators" working in the main cities, and "the need to have the gardaí involved on a full-time basis in inspections" in confronting the problem.The committee wants greater coordination between the Department of Social protection and the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that taxi drivers are not in breach of social welfare regulations, and are tax compliant. Fahey also wants the practice of renting and leasing taxi plates ended, and said that anyone doing so should be forced to make monthly returns to Revenue and the regulator. “The industry has lost confidence in the regulator, and we believe the NTA should take over control urgently, so that a number of remedial measures can be introduced immediately,” said Fahey. “Some drivers are not even making the minimum wage, and complaints about rife illegal activity need to be addressed.”

newsWHAT THE IRISH TAxI DRIvERS FEDERATIoN HAS To oFFER YoU?

The Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation was set up for the protection and development of taxi drivers’ interests throughout Ireland. We offer the following facilities for our members.

Quotes on insurance •renewals and new business. We are income tax agents •and will do all your income tax returns including back years.Advise on Health Service •and GP visit cardsAdvise and help with •mortgages.We also deal on your •behalf with Dublin Airport Authority.We also deal on your behalf •with the Taxi Regulator. We also deal on your behalf •with the Garda Carriage Office. All business pertaining to •the taxi business.

To become a member, please call to our office or telephone Doreen at 01 - 836 4416 or Fax: 01 – 836 4415 or email us at [email protected]

Also Carriage office photographs available from our office.

News - Taxi News


SUpERINTENDENT MURpHY RETIRES

Superintendent Sean Murphy

retired on Wednesday, 26th

May 2010 after thirty years

in the garda. I had known Sean

since he was a very young garda in Raheny and from then to present he was always a gentleman and very helpful to all who came in contact with him and his party in the New Aviva stadium showed how popular he was with one of the largest turn outs ever. Sean was the Superintendent in charge of traffic for a few years and his management skills impressed everyone and he always went about his work with a smile on his face. He will be missed by all. Sean is a member of St. Anne golf Club so I am sure they’re going to see a lot more of him from now on. We wish him well for the future. John Ussher.

NUMBERS oF TAxI LICENCES DRop

THE number of people applying for taxi licences has decreased dramatically despite the rapidly increasing numbers of people on the live registrar. Taxi regulator Kathleen Doyle attributes the decline to the growing realisation that the market is oversupplied and there is no room for further competition. According to the Regulator, the number of licences has been in decline since last September and in the first half of this year, it has declined by almost 500 to 26,299. “We saw a spike from 2000 when the industry was liberalised and the increase continued until the middle of 2008 when the equilibrium we expected came about,” she said. “The market determined the numbers at that stage and since then there has been a decrease. There has been an exit from the market, whether due to retirement or change of careers or because they found the industry had become too competitive.” The regulator estimates that taxi drivers are earning about 5% less and argues that earnings have not collapsed. “The competition is out there, they definitely have to work longer hours to make a living but having said that it is a liberalised market, its an open market and if

someone meets the criteria for a licence we must grant it. Also they are self-employed so it is a self-informed decision as to whether they come into the market.” At present, applications for taxi licenses are only being granted to those with a wheelchair accessible vehicle. “We are trying to achieve a proper proportion of the fleet that is wheelchair accessible and we have not been able to achieve that to date,” said Ms Doyle. “We have an initial target to get 10% of the fleet accessible. At the moment we are only at 6%. When we get to 10% we will talk to disability groups and see if that is enough.”

INSURANCE RACKET

A former taxi driver involved in a fraud case in which numerous fake insurance certificates were manufactured has been sentenced to six months in jail.The galway District Court heard how the 34-year-old defendant had been working as a taxi driver for most of last year without having proper insurance in place and that he had produced false documents several times around the city. Following an garda investigation it was discovered that a quinn Direct policy had been cancelled but that the number had been used to get several fake copies “made up”. garda gerard Sweeney gave evidence that

on october 15 he had been operating a checkpoint with a colleague when a taxi driven by the defendant - Nigerian national Ese odogun “quickly” pulled up to the side of the road about 100 yards away. odogun produced a legitimate driving licence but chose to produce a certificate of insurance at a garda station within 10 days. Four days later a document purporting to be from quinn Direct insurance was produced at Salthill garda Station. An email query was sent by garda Sweeney to the insurance company checking the status of the policy and it was discovered that the policy had been cancelled in September 2008. gardai also found that odogun produced the same false document two to three times in January 2009.“It was a cynical act,” replied Judge Mary Fahy who noted this offence, which is a huge problem in galway, meant that passengers in the taxi were not covered properly. “This is a racket. He may not be the only person involved. These documents were concocted and manufactured,” said Judge Fahy who added that the message had to go out from the court that “this is not acceptable”. odogun was then convicted and received a total of six months in jail and a disqualfication from driving for two years. Leave to appeal was granted and later taken up.

TAxI DRIvER RETIRES oN €300,000 TIp

A taxi driver from Newquay, England has quit after being left a tip big enough for him to retire on. For 20 years, Don pratt drove Mary Watson to the shops and hairdressers. Mrs Watson, a widow, often mentioned leaving something for him in her will but he was amazed to hear that she had left him her entire €300,000 fortune. Father of four Mr pratt (65) decided to retire after receiving the unexpected windfall. He said: “She was always a good tipper in life and an even better tipper when she went. I knew Mary for 20 years, she was a very nice lady and always very generous"one day, she said, when I pass on, I’ll look after you but I took it with a pinch of salt at the time. "

Taxi News - News


gUIDE Dog FINE

A taxi driver who refused to let a guide dog belonging to a blind couple into his taxi has been ordered to pay the couple €1,000 in compensation, according to an Equality Tribunal ruling published recently. The taxi driver, named in the ruling as Mr orayinyin, said he had a phobia of dogs as a result of the death of a family member who was bitten by a dog. He was also fined €250 by the taxi regulator over the incident. Nicholas Kealy, who is completely blind told the tribunal that he approached the taxi rank at around midnight in the company of his girlfriend who is also blind. He said orayinyin locked the car doors and told them he would take them but not the dog. Kealy told him that he was obliged to take the guide dog and asked for his taxi registration numbers but claimed orayinyin refused to give it to him. orayinyin told the tribunal he has later informed the taxi regulator about the incident and was informed that he was not permitted to refuse to take a dog unless he had provided medical evidence about his phobia.

BREIFNE’S TAxI CoMpANY

A BUYER has still not been found for disgraced businessman Breifne o’Brien’s stake in a Blackrock taxi company, which is to be sold to help pay off his debts. The courts transferred o’Brien’s shares in the firm to the Dublin County Sheriff last November but a buyer is still being sought. The ruined investment tycoon did not contest the orders giving over his shareholdings in companies including Blackrock Cabs. Judgment for sums totalling some €18m against Mr. o’Brien, over allegedly operating a “pyramid” investment scheme over some 15 years, misappropriating millions from several investors to fund his personal lifestyle and business interests.Last year, Mr Justice Kelly also referred papers in the case to the garda Fraud Squad.

NEW YoRK SToRIES

CABBIE RETURNS £13,000 lEFT IN TAxIA New York City cab driver has been praised for returning over 21,000 US dollars (£l3,000) lost by a visitor from Europe. Italian Felicia Lettieri, 72, left her purse in a Manhattan taxi on Christmas Eve. It contained travelling money for her and six relatives. police told them not to get their hopes up about finding it.But the cabbie, Mohammad “Mukal” Asadujjaman, drove about 50 miles, to a Long Island address he found in the purse. No-one was home, so he left his phone number and later returned with the money.The 28-year-old driver, from Bangladesh, said that as an observant Muslim he could not accept a reward offered by the grateful passenger.

TAxI DRIvERS OvERCHARGED RIDERS By $8.3M-PlUSThousands of New York City taxi drivers overcharged passengers by more than $8.3 million over the past two years by setting their meters at a rate that was supposed to be used for trips to the suburbs, according to the Taxi and Limousine Commission.At least 1.8 million trips were wrongly charged at the suburban rate, which is double the rate within city limits, the commission said.The city has about 48,300 licensed cabbies, and data shows that 35,558 have illegally charged a rider at least once, the city said. A smaller group of drivers is responsible for the majority of overcharged trips — 3,000 cabbies were found to have doubled the meter rate

more than 100 times. The commission has referred its findings to the Department of Investigation. “Some of these people could face serious charges,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. “Now, how we would ever recoup the money and get it back to the individual payers, no, but we can stop the practice and we can make sure there’s penalties.”The scammed passengers overpaid by an average of $4.45 per trip, the commission found. officials discovered the discrepancy by scouring data from global-positioning devices that are required in the city’s yellow cabs. The data goes back 26 months because gpS was first required in 2007.A passenger complaint last year led the commission to find one driver engaging in the scam hundreds of times in one month, they said. The city said that while 1.8 million overcharged trips is a significant number, there were 361 million taxi trips in the past two years, so the illegal fare was charged in half of one percent of all rides.

Taxi News - News


AppEAL oN 21ST ANNIvERSARY oF HURLEY DEATH

A reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of those behind the murder of Limerick taxi driver Henry Hurley 21 years ago. one man was charged and brought to court in 1991 in

connection with the crime, but the case collapsed after the Dpp entered a nolle prosequi. Led by Shannon gardai, and now supported by the garda Serious Crime Review Team, the investigation into Mr Hurley’s death has never been closed. gardai chose the 21st anniversary of his death in Cratloe on July 7, 1989, to issue a fresh appeal for information. officers believe people who were in Limerick city and in the Cratloe and Sixmilebridge areas in the early hours of that date may have crucial information that could prove vital in bringing his killer or killers to justice. Henry Hurley, 32, of Summerville Avenue, South Circular Road, was from a respected business family that owned Clune’s tobacco factory.

He had been driving a taxi in Limerick for around six years and was well-known and well-regarded by fellow taximen and members of the public having worked nights and weekends. It has been speculated that he picked up a fare just prior to his murder. The last reported sighting was by a friend of Mr Hurley’s in the early hours of that morning at Setright’s Cross in Cratloe. He was reported missing the following morning and his body was discovered by gardai on patrol in the gallows Hill area later that day, a few hundred metres from his taxi. “We are focusing on this investigation today because it’s the 21st anniversary of the murder of Henry Hurley. The main focus of the investigation includes the fact that Henry was seen at Setrights Cross at 3am that morning. We are satisfied with that sighting. In the car, which was a white Nissan Sunny with a taxi plate on the roof, were two other persons, two men. After that, Henry wasn’t seen again until he was reported missing and subsequently found in the Reaskcamoge area of the Cratloe Hills, often known as the ‘golf balls’.” “We would beseech anybody who has any information to come forward. If they don’t wish to talk to us personally, they can go to Crimestoppers at 1800-250025, where all calls can be dealt with confidentially.

REDUCED poRT TUNNEL RATE FoR TAxIS

board of the National Roads Authority is to be asked to reduce the fee charged to taxis using Dublin’s port Tunnel during rush hours to the off-peak rate of €3. All cars, including taxis, now pay €3 to use the tunnel at off-peak hours, or €10 during rush hours while Buses and trucks go free. NRA chief executive Fred Barry agreed to put the issue to his board, after pressure for such a move from TDs at the oireachtas Transport committee.

ABDUCTIoN oRDEAL

A Limerick taxi driver says he was sure he was going to die after being stabbed 49 times and left in a remote part of county Limerick by two passengers who hijacked and later burned out his taxi.Two19 year olds were jailed for five years after admitting carrying out the violent attack on 52 year old Kieran Canty who also suffered a broken wrist and three broken teeth at Croagh, County Limerick on April 20th last year.The court heard the pair stabbed Mr Canty 20 times in the head and 29 times elsewhere on his body when he refused to hand over his car keys after driving them from Limerick City to a secluded driveway in Croagh.After the attack they took his mobile and drove off in his car. He eventually raised the alarm at a nearby house. garda Alan o’Donnell said one of the assailants, Noelle Waters - who inflicted most of the stab wounds and threatened to kill Mr Canty - expressed no remorse when questioned and even seemed to regret that more serious injuries hadn’t been inflicted.

FORCED TO DRIvE AT kNIFE POINT A taxi driver was forced to drive 200km at knife point after his car was hijacked, The horrific journey began when the driver picked up a fare in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, shortly after midnight on a Sunday. He was told to drive to Roscommon town, but the male passenger produced a knife and threatened the driver. The taxi man’s three-hour ordeal began as he was told to drive to Limerick. Along the way he was threatened by the passenger, who gardaí described as being 6ft, with tight dark hair and glasses.on reaching Limerick, the driver was ordered out of the car in the Mulgrave Street area close to Mount St Lawrence Cemetery. The passenger then drove off, leaving the taxi man at the side of the road. The car was later recovered by gardaí, and a technical examination was carried out.

BUYINg A TAxI LICENSE?

(message from the commission for Taxi Regulation)IF YoU ARE BUYINg A TAxI LICENSE pLEASE NoTE THE FoLLoWINg:-

The deadline for SpSv licence transfers under •the old rules has now passedMost standard taxi licences are transferable •but you should check with the Commission before buyingAll other categories of licences including •wheelchair accessible taxi are not transferableFrom now on all transfers of licence •ownership must involve a vehicle that is 3 years old or less The 3-year rule also applies to “package” •

deals (vehicle and licence together)*For all subsequent changes of vehicle on your •transferred licence, the replacement vehicle must be no older than the vehicle it replaces.*once the licence is transferred into your •name it will become non-transferable(i.e. it cannot be sold again)•The Commission advise that you don’t pay in •full for a taxi licence until the licence has been put into your name officially. You do not own the licence until an official transfer has been completed Make sure the licence has at least one month •left before expiry as an expiredlicence cannot be transferred•

information line: 1890 347 34

News - Taxi News


Taxi News - Action plan


The Action Plan sees the Commission moving from a period of major reform into a period of consolidation

as the regulatory framework for the Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) industry, based on high qualitative entry and renewal standards, is now firmly established. Over the lifetime of the plan, the Commission will focus on building and improving these licensing and compliance systems and rolling out the new reform programme announced in October 2009.

The Commission will also be placing emphasis on stakeholder engagement, standards improvement and enhancing the accessibility of SPSV services to all consumers including the further integration of SPSV services within the wider transport network.

Kathleen Doyle, Commissioner for Taxi Regulation said, “This is a different type of Action Plan. It is a step-by-step programme that details not only the roll out of further new initiatives, but also the actions necessary in consolidating and assessing the new framework of regulation and recently adopted reforms. This plan is ambitious in its scale. We have set out a significant body of work and we look forward to working closely with all our stakeholders, particularly with industry members and consumers, in progressing these actions. As is always the case we look forward to working closely with professional, compliant, license holders to ensure consumer expectations are consistently met and the value of the SPSV industry in Ireland is fully recognised at all levels.”

HIgHLIgHTS oF THIS ACTIoN pLAN INCLUDE;

A review of the National Maximum Taxi Fare in 2010.•Introduction of a fleet license to bring greater transparency •and accountability to multiple vehicle license holders and the rental sector.Roll out of new driver ID for all SPSV drivers and new •complimentary county ID on roof signs clearly indicating the licensed operating area for drivers of taxis.An online register of active vehicle, driver and dispatch •operator licenses. A new, consumer friendly website including enhanced consumer information such as an online fare estimator and a register of taxi ranks nationwide.Publication of Taxi Rank Planning Guidelines to encourage •best practice in the planning and the standardisation of taxi ranks incorporating accessibility across Ireland.

The action plan announced by the commission for Taxi Regulation earlier this Summer outlines in detail the actions that form the programme of work for the Commission and will assist the Commission in meeting the objectives of its recently published 2010-2014 strategy statement.

A review of the current compliance model to consider how •best to use the resources at the Commission’s disposal.

While acknowledging some positive elements in the plan, Tommy Broughan T.D and former Transport Spokesperson for the Labour Party said that the proposals in the Taxi Regulator’s Action Plan yet again fail to address the ongoing crisis situation in the taxi sector. “There are some welcome elements to the Action Plan including the review of the National Maximum Taxi Fare, a new ID for all SPSV drivers and a county ID for taxi roof signs, a new consumer friendly website and an online register of active vehicle, driver and dispatch operator licenses. However, many of the proposals are yet again too little, too late."

Broughan voiced sceptism about the plans to limit the issuing of new licenses to wheelchair accessible vehicles and said it was unlikely that this would result in any significant increase in the numbers of wheelchair accessible vehicles. “At the moment there are just 1,535 wheelchair taxis out of

aCtion Plan: 2010-2011

Tommy Broughan

Action plan - Taxi News


26,483 active SPSV licenses according to the Regulator,” he said. “Serious concerns have also been raised about the state of the current wheelchair accessible fleet especially in terms of their ramp and entry/exit facilities. Yet, given the cost of buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle (€40,000 plus) and the current dire economic conditions in the taxi industry it is highly unlikely that this move will actually encourage drivers to buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle.”

He also said the Regulator had again failed to introduce a comprehensive demand-led mechanism for the issuing of licenses. “There continues to be an incredible number of taxis on the roads. And this is forcing drivers to work an often unsafe number of hours for less than the minimum wage and where they can barely, if at all, afford to pay their mortgage and bills and feed their families," he said.

Councillor Niall Mc Nelis from Galway also said that the proposals in the Taxi Regulator’s new Action Plan for 2010-2011 were inadequate. “After meeting taxi drivers in Galway City I believe many of the proposals are yet again too little, too late.

He is particularly concerned that the Action Plan failed to review the fast-tracking of the 9 Year Vehicle regulation. “This is a particular problem given that financial institutions and banks now view taxi drivers as “high risk” and will not extend credit facilities to them for the purchase of new vehicles,” he said. "This will particularly affect drivers with older but high-quality and spacious vehicles who may be forced to approach sub-prime or other unscrupulous financial lenders or go on the dole. "

The Commission for Taxi Regulation’s public consultation on the national maximu taxi fare closed on August 17th last. There was a strong response to the consultation process with over 300 individual

submissions and multiple submissions representing around 500 industry members received in writing or on-line.

Over 1,000 drivers were surveyed on their views on the fare options and operating costs while over 1,000 consumers were also surveyed to acquire a user perspective.

Taxi Regulator Kathleen Doyle said she is committed to reviewing fares every two years, but said this did not mean fares would increase and any a decision to alter the fare would be based on a number of factors related to industry costs and affordability for the public. “We will look at the operation and running costs of the providers, but to work the fare has to be fair and balanced...We could lower the fare.”

She says variables such as petrol prices would be looked at over a two-year period, and other industry costs such as insurance, maintenance and repairs would be assessed. These factors would then be balanced against the wider economic situation to avoid creating a disincentive for passengers to use taxis.

The review is considering three broad options: no change to current fare levels, a decrease to fare levels or an increase. The impact of each option will be considered against the views received through the public consultation process. Research was also carried out on national and international trends in taxi and

a fair review

wider transport pricing as well as a review of taxi operators costs. The national maximum fare was introduced in 2006 and was

reviewed upwards by just over 8 per cent in 2008. The increase was met with some criticism due to the beginnings at the time of the economic downturn. Fine Gael’s spokeswoman on tourism, Olivia Mitchell said the increase was a “nightmare” for tourists and would not benefit drivers.

Irish Taxi Drivers Federation president John Ussher points out that there are varying views on the issue and said that while a fare increase might discourage people from using taxis, there are many drivers who need an increase to survive. He concludes that perhaps the most sensible option is to leave fares unchanged.

Taxi News - Interview


talking to the regulatorTaxi Regulator, Kathleen Doyle discusses the Action Plan recently launched by her office and defends the controversial mandatory skills programme for existing drivers. She also argues that the wide-ranging programme of reforms introduced over recent years will ensure a more attractive service for consumers and ultimately prove to be of benefit to the industry.

have you received reaction and feedback to the Action Plan launched recently and how would you assess the reaction to the principal measures?

Reaction to the action plan has been very positive from a wide range of stakeholders. In terms of the reaction from industry, we have naturally had a number of queries on specific actions of interest and have met with representatives to clarify these. I anticipate that as the measures are rolled out and the benefits become clear, the Plan will be welcomed by the vast majority.

i understand that the requirement for all new licenses issued to be wheelchair accessible was originally intended to be introduced in April 2010 – what was the reason for the deferral?

The regulations regarding the changes had to be submitted before the EU Commission for observation; once this process was complete the reforms were signed into law and introduced.

the transfer of licenses was also deferred: is there any truth to stories circulating that this delay was because the new measure had to be authorised by the eU?

The EU issued a directive in late 2009 to all member states putting in place a new procedure where all technical regulations had to be submitted for observation. While the transfer of taxi licences was not necessarily a technical standard, it was part of a package of regulations that were to be signed into law at the same time.

In the future this additional time for observation will be included in the legislative schedule.

the Action Plan provides for new identification measures with the roof sign indicating the geographical area in which a taxi driver is licensed to operate and more visible driver i.D. is there a definitive implementation date established for these measures and what are the principal objectives of these new i.D. initiatives?

The new driver identification is being rolled out this month (August) to new industry entrants who have successfully passed the driver certification programme and to existing licence holders who have taken advantage of the offer of a free test since June of this year. This involves the distribution of enhanced driver ID that also displays the fact that the driver

is certified under the driver skills programme. The roll-out of an enhanced design of the existing Driver ID materials for drivers who haven’t yet been certified will be carried out on a phased basis into 2011. The new roof sign materials which will provide for identification of the county(s) that an operator is licensed to operate for public hire are currently being

procured and I anticipate its introduction by year-end.

Would you acknowledge that the decision to adopt these new measures is effectively an acknowledgement that the various representative bodies were correct when they originally voiced their concerns about the national numerical system introduced by the Commission?

Interview - Taxi News


No, the national numerical system is essential to ensure each vehicle has a unique five-digit licence number as a vehicle can legally operate in any county in Ireland. This single numbering system has also proved to be a significant improvement for compliance purposes.

The new measures set about enhancing the existing materials that visually display that a driver is correctly licensed to passengers and yes, they are a result of consultation with industry and consumers last year, when we took feedback on board regarding visibility of driver’s identification.

how will the new iD system cater for drivers with 2 licenses, for example, a taxi driver currently licensed for both Kildare and Dublin?

They will be issued with individual sets of identification for the areas they are licensed to operate in.

i understand that the dashboard iD and holder is also being changed provide for an alternative identification system with higher visibility. When is this being implemented and are the reasons for the new system similar to those for the new roof sign?

The new dashboard ID is being introduced from August of this year and will initially be provided to those that have undertaken and successfully completed the driver certification programme.

Since the initial introduction of the dashboard ID we have developed the ID to increase its visibility from both outside and inside the vehicle based on our own research and feedback from industry and consumers.

You have indicated your intention to introduce a fleet license for some time and it features again in the ‘Action Plan’ – What is the principal rationale for introducing a fleet license and has a time frame been established for its implementation?

Introducing a fleet licence will improve the monitoring and enforcement of compliance in the rental market. It will also help to provide a more efficient licensing renewal process for

Taxi News - Interview


multiple vehicle licence holders. The Commission will over the timeframe of the Action Plan seek the views of the industry and other stakeholders on the introduction of a fleet licence before setting new regulations.

one of the issues of most concern to taxi drivers is the skills test and the extremely high failure rate for new entrants is causing additional worry and stress. taxi drivers feel they are being unfairly treated as those in equivalent occupations (bus, truck drivers) are simply required to do a refresher course and are issued with a certificate of compliance before renewing their license. Why is an equivalent approach not considered acceptable for taxi drivers? The driver certification programme is one part of the ongoing reforms of the industry, all of which are aimed at increasing the quality and professionalism of the service. In the importance of fairness the programme is mandatory for all those operating within the Industry. While there is some equivalence between the taxi industry and other sectors like bus and truck drivers, taxi operators provide a much more personalised and passenger-focused service than these sectors do. The development of a certification system is aimed to increase assurance at the customer level that the driver of the vehicle understands key aspects of customer service such as dealing with special requirements and different customer service scenarios.

What is your response to the recent correspondence by the Joint taxi Council to members advising them not to co-operate with the test?

It is regrettable, that while we are working towards having a standard level of knowledge across the industry, representative groups are taking this approach with their members. Professional drivers of these representative groups should, with preparation have no difficulty in passing the test. Indeed the pass rate of existing licence holders who have already sat the test since its introduction has been over 70%. Ultimately those who do not take the test may find themselves being passed over for business by consumers who choose to use a certified driver.

Your office has been closed to the public following the sit-in by a number of taxi drivers. has this been inconveniencing taxi drivers and members of the public and do you have plans to re-open the office in the future.?

Our front office was temporarily closed in order to allow for repairs which have been completed. In that period we continued to provide services through our national information line and our licensing centres. Our front office remains open by appointment to drivers and members of the public.

the Commission has argued that the changes it is implementing will result in a greater degree of professionalism in the industry and a consequent increase in demand. You have stated that 100 million taxi journeys were undertaken in 2008, representing a 25% increase on 2005. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that the numbers have declined considerably - Do you have any recent figures to suggest that the increase in taxi useage is ongoing?

The Commission is currently undertaking a review of the national maximum taxi fare which will incorporate a review of the average number of trips nationally. .

the vast majority of taxi drivers appear to have little faith in your office and feel your initiatives have undermined the profession. in what respect do you feel your initiatives and your office has been of benefit to taxi drivers and what would you say to taxi drivers to encourage greater confidence in the initiatives being undertaken by your office?

The role of the Commission for Taxi Regulation is to bring the industry to a higher and consistent standard and ensure it stays there. There is no doubt that the reforms that have been introduced in recent years have gone a long way in this regard. The introduction of new vehicle standards, a national maximum taxi fare, standardised driver and vehicle identification, the driver certification programme, a dedicated enforcement team, complaints process and dispatch operator licensing all being cases in point. I appreciate that some drivers have found the transition hard but ultimately, as the reforms bed in and consumers see a more attractive offering, the entire industry will benefit.

Taxi News - quiz


Music Quiz Questions

Q1 Who was Charles Weedon Westover better known as A

Q2 Where were the Bee Gees born A

Q3 A groovy kind of love came from what film? A

Q4 American singer killed in plane crash in 1964 A

Q5 Who was Thomas Hicks better known as A

Q6 What was the theme song from The Joker is Wild A

Q7 Who sang Lovely Day A

Q8 Who was Halfway to Paradise A

Q9 I want to give = sung by A

Q10 He died in 2004, he used to back Frank Sinatra, who was he? A

Q11 What band did Gregory sing in? A

Q12 What was the name of our first European entry in Song contest A

Quiz time The Gerry Collins Quiz

ANswers:

All answers on page 80

quiz - Taxi News


Film Quiz Questions

Q1 Oscar winner born on the Walworth Road in Dublin A

Q2 What have Marilyn Monroe and Roy Orbison got in common A

Q3 In the film Marty, what was his second name A

Q4 What was the Profession of Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins A

Q5 What has David Niven and Raymond Massey got in common? A

Q6 What film did Alfred Hitchcock float down the Thames River in? A

Q7 What film did commandant Goeth appear in? A

Q8 In which state was the Green Mile set in? A

Q9 What actor director himself and won best actor? A

Q10 What actor and actress married and have the same single name? A

Q11 Who is Joel Cohen married to? A

Q12 Who was the first Hannibel Lecter? A

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Contact KenTel: 01 830 8877

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Taxi News - Feature


gloBal taxi’s Established in the 1980s by entrepreneurs Noel and Ray Ebbs, Global Taxis is Dublin’s largest and most successful taxi company and provides a unique and popular service to the corporate, public, health, hospitality and domestic markets.

In an intensely competitive market, Global Taxis has flourished through a combination of organic growth and carefully targeted acquisitions which have maximised the company’s customer base and geographical spread and

facilitated its successful entry into a variety of niche services. Some of the prominent companies now under the Global umbrella include City Cabs, Metro Cabs, Pony Cabs, Euro Cabs, Special Cabs and a number of localised taxi brands such as Dunlaoghaire, Blanchardstown and Tallaght Cabs – all of which have now been merged together to create the country’s largest and most dynamic taxi company with a fleet of over 700 taxis - making it significantly bigger than its largest competitors.

However, as Managing Director Noel Ebbs points out, there is a great deal more to the company’s success than the sheer size of the operation. “It’s true that we have about 200 to 250 more cars in our fleet than our nearest competitor, but that’s not really the issue,” he says. “It’s not about being big, it’s about being good, it’s about quality and delivering the best for our drivers, for our staff and for our clients. As long as we’re doing that, I don’t care if we’re second, third or fourth in terms of size.”

The company has a very clear vision and has married a traditional customer orientated approach with the emphasis on friendliness and cultivating strong client relations together with a keen focus on innovation and cutting edge technology. It has proved a wining formula and has been instrumental in the company’s success. Global Taxis has lead the market in terms

of technology and Noel Ebbs freely admits to being something of a “tech-freak” They were the first company to operate a computerised booking and dispatch system and have invested heavily in ensuring that they lead the field in technological development. “It’s true, I’m a bit of a tech freak and I love working with technology and finding ways of integrating it into the business for the benefit of customers,” he says. “Basically we’re providing the facilities to encourage clients to book their taxi with us under any circumstances, so they’re booking by email, online with e-booking, they’re tracking their car online, they’re booking by text, and we’re also in the process of developing a smart phone application which will allow clients to book their car through e-booking with their smart phone. To be honest, it doesn’t bring in a great deal of business, but I enjoy it, it’s the fun side of the business and perhaps helps in terms of branding the business as a progressive, forward-thinking company, but you can get bogged down in the heavy side of the business and this is really a bit of fun.”

For the last two years, Global Taxis have been working with a company to develop a credit card facility which allows passengers to pay over their phone by credit card and Noel is enthusiastic and optimistic about the results. “We didn’t go down the road of paying silly money for those in car chip n pin facilities and this new system allows passengers to pay on their mobile phone by phoning directly into the Ulster bank clearing house and keying in the fare amount and the drivers plate

Feature - Taxi News


number which identifies the driver and then they will both get a text back simultaneously confirming the transaction. The driver gets his money straight away so it’s an excellent system and it’s out on trial with individual drivers at the moment. "

While Noel acknowledges the importance of innovation and technology he believes that the most important factor in the company’s success is the ethos which Global Taxis has prioritised in terms of building strong relationships and interfacing with clients. The company has invested significantly in marketing to maintain passenger volumes through the downturn and this has resulted in a large volume of testimonials and correspondence which have provided a strong indicator of client sentiment. Communications from clients shows that while the technology and the quality and reliability of the service is clearly important, the factor which is most appreciated is the friendliness and professionalism of the staff. “We get different comments from the different demographics which we cater for but the common ingredient which they all remark on is the professionalism and friendliness of the drivers, the approachability of the staff in the office and the individual touches like the uniforms,” says Noel. “I’ve carried out my own surveys and the remarks are much the same and I think it’s a great testament to the company and the people who work here and we’ve been really delighted with the customer feedback.”

The management at Global Taxis have decades of experience in the taxi industry and the training and development of both staff and management is geared towards ensuring that it maintains its market position as leaders in service and innovation. Its ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality service has seen it achieve the ISO quality mark and it remains the only Dublin taxi company to be accredited with ISO 9001:2008. This provides clients with the assurances that they are dealing with a highly professional company which maintains the best operating standards and every system and standard in the organisation is documented, reviewed and current, as per the requirements of ISO 9001:2008.

Global Taxis is firmly committed to driver and staff welfare and has a driver turnover of less than 10%, which is

significantly lower than the industry norm and illustrates the high level of driver loyalty and satisfaction in the company. Noel acknowledges that the drivers are the lifeblood of the company and striving for the optimum working conditions is a priority. “Clearly, we can’t please all the drivers out there but those drivers who do appreciate what we try to do and who are loyal to us are the ones that I need to be looking after right now,” he says. “ I need to be very aware of what it is they like and appreciate about us and capitalise on that and I need to keep doing what they want us to do or else we won’t survive. For me, communication is particularly important and I meet the guys downstairs every Friday, we discuss the issues of the day and I take the criticisms and I take the praise and basically work hard at maintaining strong channels of communication. It’s the same with all the management team here, Sarah and Christie and Ray and Bobby, the driver contact, everybody is approachable and the whole enterprise is based around teamwork.”

However, undoubtedly it is the volume and quality of work which is the most important factor for any driver and Global Taxis can provide its drivers with larger work volumes than any of its competitors. Despite the unprecedented severity of the current recession, Global Taxis has actually managed to increase its work volumes as a result of a massive marketing drive and the company’s drivers have been sheltered from the worst effects of the recession. “Good working conditions are very important but having said that, the thing that keeps drivers happy above all else is the work and I can’t emphasise that enough, it’s the work and to be doing 1500 or 2,000 more jobs a week than we were doing in 2006 and 2007 is saying something.

"It’s largely down to marketing and I have four guys working in marketing on a permanent basis which is hugely expensive but it’s maintaining our job totals. Thankfully I’ve got fairly substantial resources in other companies and fortunately, I sold property before the crash and that money is funding the marketing which is costing around €1 million a year. By

"The company has invested substantially in marketing to maintain passenger

volumes through the downturn."

52 Dolphins Barn streetDublin 8

irelandPhone: +353 1 4541164

Fax: +353 1 4531300e Mail : [email protected]

WISHINg CITYCABS CoNTINUED SUCCESS

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Feature - Taxi News


my estimates we’re spending up to half a million more than the marketing initiatives are actually returning in added business, but I see it as an investment in the company. We did very well during the good years and have now decided that it’s time to give something back, so for every euro that the company spends in marketing I spend another euro from my families resources and we intend to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. "

Initially Noel felt that the recession would be short lived but as time passes and the full gravity of the country’s predicament emerges, he is less optimistic. He now believes it will be some time before any meaningful upturn occurs and he is particularly frustrated at the Government’s depiction of a jobless recovery. He is also concerned that the taxi industry will have to endure further difficulties in the months and years ahead. “I think this cynical thing that the Government is putting out there as regards a so-called jobless recovery is just sickening,” he says.

“For me there’s no such thing as a jobless recovery, there’s either a recovery or there isn’t a recovery – if there’s no jobs what does it mean, it’s all about jobs. I also think that any taxi driver – and I’m not touting - who is not aligned to a very strong company is in trouble and the places in strong companies are obviously limited because there’s only a handful of really strong companies out there. I think we’re going to see a lot of lost jobs in the industry over the next year or two, it may be good for the guys who stay but you have to think of the guys who are going to be forced out of the business and these guys are going to suffer. I think the industry is in real trouble, in the end, it’ll right itself and it’ll be okay but there’s going to be a lot of pain, we’re over supplied and under demanded and that’s a fact.”

Global Taxis also maintain a managed fleet of approximately 130 company vehicles which allows drivers who have fallen

into difficulty or been refused car finance an opportunity to get back on their feet. It is a particularly useful facility in the current climate but Noel emphasises that it is a temporary solution for drivers. “There is a time limit and it is only available to drivers for two years and they have to become independent within that time frame. So, basically it’s providing support for drivers who might be in difficulty or who, for whatever reason hasn’t got the where-with-all to set up on their own. They have two years where they can drive one of our company cars and they can then take it over as their own or return it, so its a leg up in the system and we have about 130 of these vehicles and they work very well. It ‘s not a permanent but it’s a good safety net and I’d say 20 to 30% of our permanent drivers have used it at some point during the current financial crisis, many of the guys just can’t get money for cars and this is a terrible situation to be in.

“There ‘s a particular section of the industry that is adamantly opposed to the renting out of taxis – but drivers need to think for a minute and appreciate that if they were in this position, they would welcome the opportunity to get back on their feet. This is not a growing section of our business, it’s a section of our business that is there to serve and it takes an awful lot of management and doesn’t really produce a great deal of revenue, but what it does do is it keeps the company fluid and it keeps drivers happy and clients happy.”

Earlier this year, there was some controversy generated by the introduction of a discounted fare services and while Noel acknowledges that it wasn’t universally popular, he says it was widely supported by the drivers at Global Taxis. “It was a very sensitive issue which is why when the discount brand came in first, we sat down and we thought long and hard about it. We

"The feature which is most appreciated by customers is the

professionalism and friendliness of the drivers and staff."

Taxi News - Feature


held a meetings in the Berkely Court Hotel and every single driver on the fleet was invited, we had a turnout of 680 drivers out of the 750 drivers who were with us at the time and out of the 680 we got 630 drivers who supported the proposal and very enthusiastically. I know it’s been a bit controversial outside of here but certainly not in the company itself. In terms of business, it did generate interest at the outset and now it’s solid rather than spectacular and the investment put into promoting it was substantial.

Originally a supporter of quality regulation for the taxi industry, Noel is now finding his support being sorely tested. While accepting the need for greater regulation of the taxi industry, he is increasingly concerned at the costs being imposed on drivers as a result of the regulators initiatives. “I think an awful lot of things that are happening with the regulator are a back door to something else and I still cannot quite figure out what the regulations are supposed to actually do. They talk about qualitative control, they talk about capping the number of plates and on and on the surface it looks great, but when you get behind it, you find that the driver is just being hit again and again, you’ve got to upgrade your car, you’ve got to modify your wheelchair car, you’ve got to get a new car, every time you turn around it’s more expense for drivers. So, while at first I would have thought we need to be regulated, I’m very quickly coming around to the view that regulation simply means costs and I’ve turned very sour on the whole thing because every time a new regulation is introduced, it means an additional cost for taxi drivers.”

Noel is confident that the company will maintain its job volumes through the recession and the company will continue to focus on delivering a first class professional service to its clients and providing the optimum working environment for it’s staff and drivers.

CONTACT INFORMATIONGlobal taxis is also complemented with a fleet of people carriers, which can carry five to eight passengers each, mini-buses, coaches and chauffeur vehicles. For further information log onto: www.Globaltaxis.ie

Feature - Taxi News


Skan Taxi Centre is now conveniently located in the Tolka Valley Business Park, Glasnevin, providing a friendly and reliable service to the Taxi industry. The taxi industry has seen tremendous changes, especially

in the last 10 years, including new signage, meters, printers, safety equipment, etc., and Ken has been at the forefront helping his customers at every stage.

Complementing the services provided you will find a comprehensive range of products and supplies including rolls, ribbons, coin holders as well as aerials, car cleaning products and other essentials for todays taxi.

Skan Taxi Centre staff provide a complete service for your Taxi and if it is a new meter, sign, printer, a re-calibration or repair, they will endeavour to have your vehicle back in service as quickly as possible.

As in any service industry, and more especially today, the old adage that “the customer is king” is the most important part

of customer care policy at the Skan Taxi Centre. So if you need assistance or have a query call Skan Taxi Centre for a reliable and friendly customer service you can trust.

Many people have asked over the years about the spelling of the name “Skan” (why the “K”) well the answer is quite simple; the “K” in Skan was put there by Ken in 1983, the original name; “Skan Auto Electrical”.

CONTACT INFORMATIONsKaN taxi CeNtre is NOW CONVeNieNtLY LOCateD iN tHe uNit 7 tOLKa VaLLeY BusiNess ParK ( OFF BaLLYBOGGaN rOaD) GLasNeViN, DuBLiN 11, PrOViDiNG a FrieNDLY aND reLiaBLe serViCe tO tHe taxi iNDustrY. MaiN aGeNt FOr taxitrONiC aND KieNZLe arGO Meters.

We aLsO reNt taxis

Skan Taxi Centre is now conveniently located in the Tolka Valley Business Park, Glasnevin, providing a friendly and reliable service to the Taxi industry.

skan taxi Centre

Taxi News


taxi travel Pass Free vouchers for elderly citizens in rural areas, car pooling and taxi discount schemes are some of the initiative which might help increase demand for taxi’s.

school buses outside normal school-run periods, and provide a special service for the elderly on pension payment day.

According to Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring who sits on the committee told similar schemes have worked in England and other countries and there is no reason why they can not work here. He said Bus Éireann services had cut 100 services from rural Ireland and a body to provide rural transport needs to be established. “We have made six or seven recommendations and there is no reason why a scheme cannot be put in place to provide an option for rural transport. People will get so many vouchers for the week and give them to the taxi driver who will collect his money at the end of the week. It has been done with butter vouchers in the past. We need the voluntary aspect of a community to get involved or else it will not work but I have no doubt that if a pilot scheme was put in place it will work,” he said.

At present, €10 million has been provided for Rural Transport from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and this is wholly inadequate according

The Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has proposed that elderly citizens in rural areas should be given taxi vouchers to allow them to travel for free in parts of the country

poorly served by public transport. The suggestion follows a report on rural transport provision,

published by the Dail Committee which recommended that a new authority be established to roll out rural transport schemes. The report found that 40pc of the population or 1.6 million people live in rural Ireland out of which 200,000 were 65 years or older. Up to 450,000 could have “unmet” transport needs by 2021.

The Committee said that voluntary groups in rural communities would have to get involved in rolling out rural transport in order for a proposed taxi voucher scheme to be a success. Among the proposals made by the committee were to provide vouchers to allow the elderly to more easily avail of private taxi services; extend the free travel pass; redeploy CIE

Taxi News


to Deputy Ring who says that the proposals suggested by the Committee could be funded by the Carbon Tax fund. He argues that people in rural areas pay a proportionately greater amount in carbon tax because there is a greater requirement for car use due to the lack of an adequate transport service and therefore there is a higher

spend on fuel. “ Money collected from carbon tax should be ring-fenced for this job and a body set up to deal with rural transport. We don’t want anymore quangos but civil servants can be moved to deal with this issue.”

His view is echoed by Dr. Bill Tormey, a councillor and practising doctor who says the initiative would greatly enhance the lives of senior citizens living in rural or isolated areas. “I believe Michael Ring’s intentions regarding rural taxi vouchers are worthy of support. The feasibility depends on the costs to the state but the quality of life for many rural people would be significantly improved by the scheme,” he said.

The Friends of the Elderly have also initatiated a campaign to get reduced taxi fares for senior citizens. “There are 27,400 taxi licences in Ireland and there are 480,000 pensioners in Ireland” says Dermot Kirwan, spokeperson of Friends of the Elderly. “There are thousands of taxis standing idle during off-peak times ( mid morning/mid afternoon), which is the time when most pensioners tend to travel into town. If taxi drivers would offer Senior Citizen discount during off-peak times there are many pensioners who would share a taxi into town occassionaly, rather than share a bus shelter. Surely it is preferable to take a reduced fare than no fare”

Friends of the Elderly have called on town, city and county councils to fund some level of Taxi Tokens for its elderly citizens who qualify, “Taxi Tokens for the elderly who cannot access public transport is not a new idea; 65 councils in the UK have been using Taxi Tokens schemes for some time. There are thousands of elderly people in the Dublin area who are virtually prisoners in their own homes. It will be money well spent when you consider the true cost of social depression caused by long term isolation and loneliness. One free taxi trip a week or month could transform the lives of elderly people who cannot use the buses.” said Dermot Kirwan, “We are calling on all those who are active in their community to put pressure on their local representatives to consider the proposal.”

In a further initiative, a new service for Dublin commuters offers shared taxi rides and car journeys as an affordable and quicker alternative to driving your own car to work. Dublin Commute claims it can take the stress and anxiety out of the daily commute by grouping together commuters with a shared

destination in the same taxi. The service is also being provided to ferry second- and third-level students to school and college. Because the taxis can use bus lanes, it says the service is quicker than driving a private car into the capital.

Costs are minimised by filling each taxi with three commuters who have to commit themselves to use the service at least five times a week. In addition, the company is offering a “tunnel buddies” service that matches up commuting drivers who use the Dublin Port Tunnel with passengers willing to share the cost of the toll. It has also installed park-and-ride facilities at the fringes of the city, where longer-distance commuters can leave their cars and continue their journey by shared taxi or public transport.

Car-pooling schemes have been tried in Dublin before without any success but Dublin Commute’s business development manager Ian Graydon believes it is now the ideal time for the plan to be implemented. “We’re committed to try and ease the stress of the daily commute,” he says. “With overcrowded trains and buses where most don’t even get a seat, why shouldn’t we look at affordable taxis using the bus lanes?”

The scheme, which has a dedicated website dublincommute.ie, takes inspiration from commuting solutions in place in Asian cities such as Bangalore and, nearer home, from the long-running black taxi service in Belfast.

Fine Gael TD, Michael ring

Taxi News


The new site is mainly an informational site for people involved in the taxi industry. The site is broken into several categories. We have the Taxi shop which will supply anything that a driver may require from a

safety kit to a new car. There is a discussion forum for taxi drivers to air their views' share stories and keep up to date on what is happening in the industry. You can down load any of the forms necessary for changing vehicle, renewing your taxi license etc.We have a useful contact section along with Taxi news and Information which gives everything from the list of registered dispatch operators to all the Taxi union details through to the smaller things such as a list of car dismantlers in case a driver is looking for parts for their vehicle but can't find them locally.

Our site will have this magazine available to view online for those of you who have plenty of time at the ranks and internet access.

We also provide full mechanical repair service including body repairs and re-spraying. Customers can avail of a replacement taxi while their own is in our workshop.

Our goal with this site is simply to get drivers from different areas of Ireland to register with the site and through the discussion forum share information with each other that hopefully can benefit themselves and other drivers. We hope to be able to provide the Taxi industry with anything that is required in the hopes of helping people reduce their expenses and maintain a respectable income.

We have just launched an innovative new virtual dispatch operator system through our web site. This is the future of job dispatching. Basically this is a pay as you go dispatcher!

Our site allows consumers to book taxis using their mobile phone or computer without speaking to anyone. It enables people to find the closest taxi to their location at the click of a button. Drivers nearby are offered the job and can either accept or decline using their mobile phone.

There is no need for either driver or customer to speak to anyone at any stage making the dispatch more efficient and accountable. Consumers can track their booked taxi on a map based on their real time location, all on their mobile phone!

Introducing a new informational website for people involved in the taxi industry

www.Psv.ie

The future for many business lies with mobile technology. This is particularly true in the transport industry where people want information and quality service at the touch of a button.

Traditional pricing/charging models are now well outdated, why should drivers pay for business they aren't getting?

With this pay as you go service it means that you only pay for the job you accept.

So WHY SHoULD YoU JoIN???:

It is particularly appealing to taxi drivers (independent or •with a traditional dispatch company) Because:There are no set up fees & no weekly/monthly charges•No Tie in period/obligation i.e. driver can withdraw from •service whenever they want with immediate effect.driver receives the €2.00 call out charge for every job.•the system will match the customer with the closest driver •so in most cases you are within minutes of your fare.Simply pay a flat fee of €1.00 (50% of the call out charge) for •every fare received from www.psv.ieFee is paid by premium sms each time a fare is accepted. •No bills, No large payment requests.

CONTACT INFORMATIONFor information and to register your interest please contact [email protected] would appreciate all feedback from members of the taxi industry on how to improve our service to you.sincerely, [email protected]

Our goal with this site is simply to get drivers from different areas of Ireland

to register with the site and through the discussion forum share information

with each other that hopefully can benefit themselves and other drivers

Taxi News - Feature


Mintex has been recognised as a leading friction brand for almost 100 years. The Mintex brand has always demonstrated a commitment to ongoing product development - a philosophy

that exists to this day and which helps Mintex to stay ahead of the competition. Each new Mintex Brake Pad is subjected to extensive testing during its development to ensure it performs not only to European Regulation standards but to Mintex standards. Those stringent tests include testing under real life conditions and examine not only friction performance, but also noise, comfort and consistency across the temperature range. Mintex friction is engineered at state-of-the-art facilities using the latest automated technology, to ensure consistently high standards of quality and finish.

When developing friction material, Mintex identified police vehicles, ambulances as well as TAXIS as the prime high-mileage heavy duty operators to benefit from increased pad life in cars and vans subjected to arduous repeating braking.

Mintex Brake Pads sets the standard for heavy duty, long-life friction materials for cars and light commercial vehicles and guarantees:

Up to 3 times longer pad life•Up to 3 times more durable•Increased performances.•

Mintex - the name for quality brakes. A perfect ‘fit’ for high volume brake pad users!!!

Up To 3 TIMES LoNgER pAD LIFE:

For effective cost management, pad replacement is best carried out during a scheduled service. However, vehicles subject to extreme, frequent braking typically wear pads out prior to this – a problem exacerbated by the ever increasing service interval of newer vehicles. In these circumstances, extra cost is incurred as the vehicle is pulled out of service for an interim pad change, of the vehicle is serviced early in an effort to contain cost.

Mintex Brake Pads changes all this. Designed specifically to lower the costs of ownership for fleet managers as the life of the pad is no longer a limiting factor governing the service intervals of high-mileage, heavy use vehicles.

Mintex Brake Pads quickly return on investment, by offering a simple but effective solution for replacement pads.

uP tO 3 tiMes MOre DuraBLe:

With up to three times the service life of standard friction materials and a comprehensive range of references, any investment in Mintex Brakes will return on this commitment many times over as each typical replacement milestone is passed.

From the outset, Mintex Brake Pads were designed with cost of ownership benefits in mind, ever conscious of the commercial demands to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure such

mintex

Feature - Taxi News


COMMerCiaL VeHiCLes reNtaL COMPaNY:

Technical Manager: “In the past we tended not to focus on where we bought our replacement pads from. We always went for efficient fric-tion material, but within this there are various grades, from cheaper to more expensive products, with the more expensive materials giving marginally better mileage.”

We have always taken a ‘horses for courses’ approach when choosing friction material for a particular vehicle. For example, a van that does long trips with little braking does not need the most expensive pads, whereas exceptional fade and performances is important for urban delivery, where there will be a lot of braking. Ideally, choosing the right pads should mean that they are approaching the end of their life by the time the vehicle is due to be serviced, and not before.”

“We started trialling Mintex Brake pads after we experienced problems with five vehicles being used for security work. The road network in the city consists of derestricted roads linked by roundabouts, meaning that the vehicle were speeding up between roundabouts and then braking sharply. The result was demolished pads that gave only 5,500 miles before needing to be replaced.

The first aftermarket replacement pads we used to try to solve the problem still only did 9,000 miles, so I then approached Mintex, who supplied me with a new pad formulation. With this new friction material the security vehicles averaged 25,000-27,000 miles with no fade or squeal – problem solved!

“We then tried Mintex Brake pads on the vehicles previously only getting 8,000 miles on one set of pads. When fitted and checked at 8,000 miles, the pads were hardly touched. We’re now using Mintex Brake pads on 2,000 of our vehicles, with plans to extend this further. of course the cost of pads is always an issue, but safety, reliability and cost in use are more important.”

one surprise hard-wearing pads are usually hard on discs, but we have tried Mintex Brake pads with both oE and aftermarket discs and discs life is extended in both cases. For instance, at over 27,000 miles the disc wear is only about 0.5 mm.”

“We are certainly more than satisfied with the cost-in-use saving Mintex Brake pads gives. previously some of our vehicles couldn’t make it to the next service before needing new pads, meaning they went into the workshop for replacement pads and ended up getting serviced early at the same time, resulting in high running costs. With Mintex Brake pads we are now able to get back to the proper service intervals.

POLiCe FOrCe:

“The peugeot that the pads have been installed on is used for rural beat work with some urban use, so the brake pads are subjected to heavy duty rather than high performance braking. In comparison with our other peugeots, the test car is currently running at more than double the normal mileage on the same set of pads. Its mileage is now at 76,000 miles, and we have not yet to change the car’s discs.”

as replacement and servicing costs. An examination of the true-life costs of a brake pad highlights where considerable savings can be made.

The table provides illustrative cost-of-ownership figure and, therefore, the real value Mintex Brake Pads offer users, based on actual data and testing.

INCREASED PERFORMANCES

Mintex Brake Pads point to longer pad life and reduced disc wear. Significant increases in pad life and performances have been reported after field trials of the new Mintex Brake Pads.

Comments on Mintex Brake Pads Trials:The development of the Mintex Brake Pad material was driven by the need to produce a friction material that had an extended service life, whilst displaying disc-friendly properties.

Carefully selected ingredients and over 3 years of testing and refinement has produced an asbestos-free friction material with outstanding consistency of performance across a very

wide range of operating conditions and temperatures offering a life expectancy up to three times that of standard brake pads. Under extreme use and fluctuating brake temperatures, drivers are assured of consistency, reliability and performances.

Surface technology advances ensure that Mintex Brake Pads are kind to discs with comparable wear rates to that of a typical OE equipment and replacement pads. The extended life is, therefore, not achievable at the detriment of disc life or other components.

Ask your mechanic to fit Mintex Brake Pads – for long lasting and secure braking!

Taxi News - Taxing Taxis


taxing taxis As part of its continuing focus on cash based businesses, the Revenue Commissioners are targeting the taxi industry where there is a high level of non-compliance.

exercise takes place, does prove the point that has been made time and again, by legitimate full-time taxi operators . . . and it will certainly help to keep the cowboys out of the business. It certainly is the easiest business to be in, in the black market and the response is very welcome and better late than never."

When contacted by Taxi News, a spokesperson at the department of the Revenue Commissioners responsible for the taxi industry clarified the matter and said that the 20% figure related to drivers who required further enquiries in relation to their tax compliance, ranging from non-filing to register maintenance. “It may turn out that some of this 20% are tax compliant and require no further action,” he said. “Similar checkpoints in other parts of the country have indicated a similar level of possible non-compliance. The small numbers of individuals who were interviewed at these checkpoints make it risky to conclude that this 20% figure applies nationally.”

However, he added that the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that there is a serious tax compliance problem within the taxi business. Commenting further, he said that it is a key part of Revenue’s ongoing work to identify and focus its direct interventions on the riskiest cases or sectors. “Revenue has a strong focus on cash businesses in view of the potential for shadow economy activity, particularly in times of recession,” he said. “The primary objective of enquiries and investigations in this area is to uncover either non-declaration or underdeclaration

Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Assistant secretary at the Revenue Commissioners Norman Gillanders said a multiagency group of 22 officials including gardaí and Revenue

Commissioners checked the papers of about 100 taxi drivers in Galway on one night and found that some 20 per cent were not tax compliant.

He told the committee that the 20 per cent was reflected in checks in other parts of the State and that those with compliance issues included eight people who had not filed tax returns even though they were on the register. “Six of the cases we found on that night in Galway had ceased operation according to Revenue records but they were there on the rank doing taxi business. Three said they only started as drivers that week and we had to investigate that.”

These checkpoints have been initiated throughout the country and according to Mr Gillanders they generally result in a notable decline in the number of taxis in operation. “When the checkpoints appear certainly the taxi traffic thins out quickly, so I think the element of surprise to get in and out in sufficient numbers to make an impact is the hallmark of how we do this work,” he said.

Transport committee chairman Frank Fahey said this kind of check was something the committee had asked for previously. “I think the fact that so many people disappear when such an

Taxing Taxis - Taxi News


of income and this would include fraudulent Department of Social Protection (DSP) claims.

To further facilitate and enhance this approach Revenue has developed a computerised Risk Evaluation Analysis and Profiling System (REAP). REAP contains information of high quality which has been supplied by taxpayers in their returns as well as information received from various third parties. REAP enables Revenue to home in on tax evaders. “Now that Revenue has access to the Taxi Regulators database, it will be undertaking further enquiries into the taxi sector with a view to ensuring the compliance of all operators in the sector,” the spokesperson added.

He stressed that Revenue has yet to establish an accurate and reliable depiction of the level of non-compliance within the taxi sector but will be undertaking further enquiries and investigations. “At this stage Revenue is not in a position to state whether or not the taxi industry has a higher level of non-compliance than other sectors. Our planned work programme for the taxi business will shed some more light on this question,” he said.

Following the introduction of information sharing legislation in the Finance Act 2010, Revenue has recently received a copy of the Commission for Taxi Regulation’s database of SPSV licence holders, this includes details of all driver and vehicle licence holders. Revenue intends to check this data against its own register and to pursue cases for non-registration etc. The data has also been input into the REAP system to help Revenue auditors choose cases for investigation.

Once the data from the Taxi Regulators office has been examined in detail a number of further initiatives aimed at improving compliance in the taxi industry will be implemented, these will range from verification checks to full audits and any customer service initiatives that may be required.

There are varying degree of non-compliance – ranging from outright non-payment of tax through to under-declaring income levels and being behind in payments and it would also include the failure to file tax returns and to keep adequate business records. Another area where non-compliance may occur is in instances of taxi drivers in employment or in receipt of a pension and working part time in the taxi industry. “There is no breakdown available of the degrees/categories of non-compliance within the taxi industry, however the failure to keep adequate business records is a feature which is prevalent in the industry,” said the spokesman. “Non-compliance with taxi regulations and fraudulent DSP claims may also feature.”

Spot checks (check points) represent only the initial part of a Revenue enquiry into the level of compliance of an individual. Basic information would be gathered from the individual during the spot check and cross checked against the information held on Revenues records and the information they have received from the Taxi Regulator. Now that Revenue have details of all the driver and vehicle licences, details of the plate numbers gathered during the spot checks will be of assistance in their subsequent enquiries.Intelligence gleaned from these checks is also shared with DSP where they are not present at the initial operation.

Given that taxi drivers are not licensed to operate without a tax clearance certificate, it likely that many taxi drivers found to be non-compliant as a result of spot checks are in fact non-licensed drivers who are operating illegally as taxi drivers. While acknowledging the fact that this is an issue in the industry, the Revenue Commissioners argue that this is

primarily an issue for the Taxi Regulator “This may indeed may be the case and from a Revenue point of view any of these individuals who are discovered will be pursued to ensure they become tax compliant. Many of our checkpoints are carried out in conjunction with officials from the Taxi Regulators office and they follow up on any breaches of the taxi regulations,” he said.

The recovery of fines and penalties is an integral part of the overall enforcement process by Revenue. There are provisions in the tax Acts for a wide range of fines and penalties (fixed and tax geared) which can be imposed in particular situations for failure to comply with Revenue law. Fines and penalties in appropriate cases are pursued through court proceedings or as part of a settlement.

However, according to the spokesman, Revenue are very conscious of the current economic climate and the difficulties some people and businesses are experiencing in meeting their tax obligations. In early 2008, Revenue started to implement new procedures to deal with the collection of debts. Customers were encouraged to engage early with Revenue and to be realistic about their situation. If Revenue is satisfied that a business is viable and only has temporary difficulties a realistic and structured approach will be taken to making arrangements for the collection of debt. “The key message is that individuals and businesses should engage with Revenue early and provide full disclosure of their situation,” the spokesman said. " If you do not engage, Revenue will not go away and the longer it is left the harder it is to agree a way forward. Just because there is a recession does not mean you can ignore your obligations,” he said.

The importance of keeping proper records cannot be over emphasised, he added. “ This will enable the individual both to properly manage their business and to quickly deal with any queries that Revenue may have. In recent times there has been increased co-operation and sharing of information between Revenue and the Taxi Regulators Office. This process will continue and develop with the aim of ensuring the compliance of the taxi industry with both Revenue and the Regulators obligations.”

Taxi Commissioner Kathleen Doyle has also welcomed the amendment to the Finance Act which authorises the Regulators office to share information with Revenue and the Dept. of Social Protection. “We are now doing so on a regular basis and this will ensure that all those operating within the industry are doing so legally and all are operating on a level playing field. We will continue to monitor overall compliance in the SPSV industry with Revenue and other agencies and would expect on-going data sharing and multi-agency activities to provide a longer-term measure of overall confidence.”A document outlining the Revenue policy in this area is available on

the Revenue website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/foi/s16/

collection/debt-management/cdefguide.pdf

Taxi News


taCkling taxi issuesBill Tormey, Dublin city councilor and a consultant in Beaumont Hospital offers his views on the difficulties facing Irish taxi drivers and offers some possible solutions.

indicate that the Taxi Regulator has a responsibility for the health effects of her actions and decisions on drivers in the industry. As a result of the type of management of deregulation, there is an increased stress at work on drivers with the need to work longer and longer hours to maintain income. If the objective evidence is that the average wage is below the minimum wage then I believe that there must be consequences for the Regulator. But how is this woman held to account?

Seemingly not by the Department of Transport and Minister Dempsey!

Last year at Dublin City Council, I brought up the taxi numbers issue with the City Manager because of the spill-over from over full taxi ranks and some altercations with clampers and traffic wardens. I was informed that the Council had NO ROLE in setting a limit on the number of taxi licences issued in the city. This was exclusively a matter for the Taxi Regulator

Health risks of prolonged taxi driving include hypertension (raised blood pressure), obesity and type 2 diabetes, lack of physical fitness, and mental health problems from stress. I am

Taxi drivers and consultants have something in common. The public does not like us except when they need or use us! In 2000, there were about 2,000 taxis in Dublin but now the figure is about 16,000.

Take a trip into town any night at 1-am and see the taxi jams on many streets. That is too many and the consequence is that the income of taxi drivers is below the average industrial wage. A large percentage of drivers work more than 70 hours per week with the attendant stress and damage to social and family life. Unfortunately, we have forgotten what life is about. Society and social relationships are important.

The Taxi Regulator says, like a mantra, that she is only interested in implementing good quality standards in the industry. Every question is answered in the same stock way.

The European Work Place Directive on time does not apply to the self-employed taxi drivers but I guess that it does apply to drivers employed by others or by a company. The Office of the Ombudsman and the Labour Courts are excluded from involvement in the taxi industry. This would seem to me to

Taxi News


aware of a number of suicides recently among Taxi drivers and this is of great concern because it flags the impact of this whole problem on vulnerable people.

The issue of double jobbing part-timers is also worth examining. How can those on PAYE 40 hours per week in another job sign a declaration that they will work in a taxi for at least 40 yours per week when that is in clear breech of the Work Time Directive. I have been told that tachographs are opposed by drivers in the industry for obvious reasons.These issues may need judicial clarification.

The issues I am aware of are the nine year rule for taxis and the issues of wheel chair compatible vehicles.

There is also the issue of the taxi drivers earning less than the minimum wage as a consequence regulator actions. Is that law in its operation reasonable and legal in relation to EU Regulations in workers rights?

The Taxi Regulator has accumulated > €17 – €23 million from regulatory licence income and there needs to be a reset of charges in favour of the licencees.

Other issues are the high costs of taxi trips in Ireland by comparison with foreign cities.

The most interesting innovation that I have seen from the taxi industry is in Rimouski Quebec, Canada the Taxibus scheme was established in the 1996 to rely on taxis for all public transport for a set fee or a monthly pass for frequent

sOLutiONs

1. Integrate taxis with Dublin Bus and Rail. Let taxi companies tender for bus routes along low usage areas to facilitate a more effective service in off-main road areas.

2. get taxi companies to tender for these jobs. Dublin Bus subsidy should be extended to allow the Bus Company or a New Dublin Transport Authority to organise transport where taxis are an integral cog in the wheel of public service.

3. Let the HSE seek tenders for patient transport and for special dealsfor moving pensioners.

4. Control number of taxis to serve people in a reasonable manner.5. prevent part time drivers who are full-time pAYE workers

elsewhere working longer than the maximum allowed under EU directives.

6. Let the Taxi Regulator part subsidise the replacement of nine year old vehicles under a sliding scale of duration of occupation.

7. oblige the Taxi Regulator to European Commission Ruling on the

health consequences of current policy8. Look at the radical policy of using taxis to provide public transport

for set fees along all routes except the main radial roads where buses are more appropriate at peak hours.

9. The Department of Transport should oblige the Taxi Regulator to subsidise the formation of taxi company co-ops in the interests of drivers’ health and safety.

10. Indigenous Irish drivers should be encouraged to respect the rights and humanity of immigrant drivers of all skin colours.

11. Taxis should operate free of toll charges.12. Rural taxi companies should receive a transport subsidy in the

interests of then preservation of social life in those areas.13. As a policy objective, I prefer cheaper fares and more trips than

long periods of idleness and high fares. Lets keep people and taxis moving.

14. All subsidies should be audited and the results published.15. The Taxi Regulator should revisit the situation for Dublin drivers

and commission a new independent study by a different company.

users. Other issues are the use of taxis to replace buses for low load periods. School runs – M50 transits.

FootnoteDr. Bill Tormey was elected to Dublin City Council in 2004, and is currently a member of the Economic and European Affairs Strategic Policy Committee, as well as the Travellers’ Accommodation Consultative Committee.Dr. Tormey is a consultant in Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown. He is a Chemical Pathologist and specialist in General Internal Medicine. 2003 saw the publication of his book; “A cure for the crisis: Irish healthcare in context”.

Taxi News


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Taxi News - Feature


In the period March 2007 to March of this year, a total of 44 drivers had their licences revoked over concerns about their previous criminal history while 48 licence applications made in the greater Dublin region were

refused by gardaí under the fit and proper person rule. Each applicant for a spsv license must present a tax

clearance certificate as well as a current driving license and Gardai will check criminal records to ensure the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The same criteria applies each time a license holder renews their license.

The law stipulates that any person who applies for a public service vehicle (PSV) licence must be considered by officers not to be a potential threat to customers. Among the issues officers examine are a person’s reputation, serious previous criminal convictions such as assault, and ongoing cases involving the applicant. If the holder of a small public service vehicle driver licence is convicted of an offence and

In the last three years, up to 100 taxi drivers have been barred from operating in the industry because they failed to satisfy Gardai that they are a fit and proper person to hold a taxi license.

not deemed to be a fit and proper person by the Gardai to hold the licence, the licence can be revoked. Licence can also be revoked by the Courts. Decision by Gardai to refuse to grant or revoke a licence can be appealed to the District Court. According to the Garda a taxi driver licence is either revoked or refused every 10 days due to these concerns, with 18 cases being reported in 2007, 37 in 2008 and 27 last year. However, despite the belief by officers that there was a clear public interest in blocking those involved from working as taxi drivers, during the same period six applicants successfully appealed to the local District Court against the decision.

The figures emerged less than a month after a Limerick taxi driver was sentenced to seven years in jail for raping a teenage customer. A District Court judge had allowed John Ryan, 43, from Clonard in Westbury, Limerick, to continue working as a taxi driver after the allegations were made, despite concerns raised by the country’s most senior garda.

BarreD from entry

Feature - Taxi News


Mr Ryan was found guilty of the October 17, 2007, offence last November after picking the girl up from a Limerick city nightclub. However, despite the severity of the allegations, the taxi driver successfully appealed a decision to remove his (PSV) licence at Limerick District Court on January 3, 2008. The initial move to revoke Mr Ryan’s licence had been made by chief superintendent Willie Keane, who has since been promoted to assistant garda commissioner, when a file on the case had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Speaking to Taxi News, taxi regulator Kathleen Doyle acknowledged the relatively high number of taxi drivers going before the courts on serious criminal charges but voiced her confidence in the approach taken by the Gardai in ensuring that taxi drivers are of appropriate character and the safety of the travelling public is paramount. “Naturally anything that reflects badly on the industry as a whole is of concern to the Commission, and safety and the confidence of passengers is also paramount,” she said. “This is one of the reasons why we are introducing tougher entrance requirements to the industry. The Gardai are currently responsible for both driver licensing and vetting procedures. This is something that they do for a number of industries and we should have confidence in their procedures. We maintain strong working relationships with all levels of An Garda Síochána and routinely liaise on individual cases that come before the courts.

“These cases would be taken by the Gardaí and according to their guidelines. The Commission does not play a role in identifying such persons, but does of course, share enforcement information with the Gardaí.”

The Irish Taxi Drivers Federation is also satisfied with the controls placed on the industry and argue that opening the floodgates with deregulation has allowed undesirable characters to enter the industry and made it more difficult to police. “The Gardai have a lot on their plate and are doing a good job under the circumstances, in the majority of cases, there will be a good reason for refusing an application for a taxi license and for revoking an established license and the right of appeal available to each person ensures that their interests are safeguarded,” says the President of the Federation, John Ussher.

WITH RESpECT

In July a taxi driver has secured leave from the High Court to challenge his conviction on a public order offence arising from a dispute with another taxi driver. Jehosh Adekiyesi is challenging the constitutionality of provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations requiring taxi drivers to behave in “a civil, orderly and respectful” manner and section 6 of the public order Act after being convicted of both offences at Dublin District Court last May.The convictions relate to an altercation he had with another taxi driver at Stephen’s green North on March 6 last after one taxi driver was seen by a garda to have moved to an inside lane and the other taxi in front of it would not move. The court heard that it appeared to the gardaí that a fist fight was about to occur. The District Court heard that while the other party left the scene after calming down, Mr Adekiyesi was arrested and brought to Hardcourt Terrace garda station. He claims that District Judge victor Blake, who fined Mr Adekiyesi after finding him guilty, erred in law by convicting him of offences that are bad in law on grounds including that the offences lack precision, clarity, are vague and uncertain. Mr Adekiyesi of Balcurris gardens, Ballymun, Dublin 11 secured leave from the High Court Judge Blake, the Director of public prosecutions, Ireland and the Attorney general aimed at quashing the convictions he received on May 17 last.He is seeking a number of declarations including article 52 of the Road Traffic (public Service vehicles) Regulations which creates the offence of failing to behave in a civil, orderly and respectful manner is unconstitutional and incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.He is also seeking a declaration that the section 6 of the Criminal Justice (public order Act) 1994 is unconstitutional and incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.In an affidavit to the court Mr Adekiyesi’s solicitor Cahir o’Higgins said that his client was convicted of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and for failing to behave in a “a civil, orderly and respectful” manner.Mr o Higgins said that the challenge to the constitutionality of article 52 of the Road Traffic regulations is being brought on grounds including that the article served to criminalise behaviour which was not in any sense criminal. Further grounds include that the article requires the driver of a public service vehicle to act in a manner that is not capable of definition and open to a multitude of interpretations. Mr o’Higgins added that to convict a person for an offence under the article was in effect double penalisation and would amount to the convicting an accused person twice for the same act. Mr o’Higgins adds that the challenge against Section 6 of the public order Act is being brought on grounds including that the section offends the rule that criminal offences should be clearly and specifically defined.

Taxi News


Taxi News

offiCial magazine of the irish taxi Drivers feDeration |53

aCQuireD rights In the last issue, Taxi News published correspondence from a reader who was critical of the requirement for existing license holders to participate in the skills development programme and the refusal of the regulator to agree to a ‘grandfather clause’. In a further submission, he elaborates on his argument that existing license holders should be entitled to an acquired right, with no examination of assessment.

Dear John,

Just got a copy of Taxi News from one of your members, and pleasantly surprised you published the letter I sent you, under readers feedback, it’s unfortunate the Regulator dismisses the acquired right for existing license holders giving its best practice in all types of industry, and quotes Section 34(3) of the Taxi Regulation Act, power to set conditions, very commendable, but does nothing to address the acquired right issue. The regulator makes reference to Health and Road Safety legislation i.e. working hours, the importance and dangers of driving when tired, drivers must be responsible for their own actions, etc. (Excellent).

Is she also aware of the dangers, that, worry, stress, anxiety, lack of concentration and fatigue, can and does contribute to accidents, by slowing your perception and reaction time and increasing the total stopping distance required, (transport research laboratory U.K.). The pressure of a compulsory test after years in the business can cause all of the above problems. The Road Safety Authority is responsible for the CPC, and they moved forward in the direction of acquired right.

Would it be fair to ask, is a T.D. or Minister who fails to be re-elected, and returns to their profession as Teachers, Solicitors and Accountants. Etc; are they required by regulation, to participate in an accountancy, law or teaching skills development programme, having been out of the job for 5 years or more, is there a precedent, or is she setting one, did your Bankers have to participate in a new skills development programme, difficult to compare like with like, if the answer is certainly not, then I believe there is a very important need to revisit and reconsider, the acquired right issue, what is best practice, the health and road safety act, section 34 for drivers who are involved in the industry for the last 10, 20 30 years.

The national driving test is a driving skills test, with random questions on the rules of the road and the requirements you will

need, to have a vehicle on the road, you must also show the tester that you are a safe, competent and efficient driver to get your license. You have also shown him that you are capable and well able to adhere to any changes and requirements that come into law, with no further testing. This is an intrinsic part of having a taxi driving license you must have a national driving license, and the taxi license is an extension of the driving license.

Why is the taxi industry treated differently from standard practice?The national driving license cost 15 euro for 3 years, or 25 euro for 10 years, and acceptable identification.A passport cost 80 euro for 10 years, quick post.A birth cert costs 10 euro.The FAS safe pass costs 110 euro for 4 years. This is an 8-hour course.The Road Safety Authority, drivers card for trucks and buses, cost 50 euro for 5 years. (With microchip)

Taxi driving license, 250 euro for 3 years.

Is it possible all these other public agencies are wrong, are they incompetent, has the Taxi Regulator got it right? Who sets the guidelines?

The increase cost from 3 euro to 250 euro for a taxi driving license, and reduced to 3 years is a massive and savage hike, and certainly not in line with reality, and makes no sense in the current economical, financial and social difficulty we are facing. Can she see the taxi ranks, the convoy of taxis at night? (The driver badge system was effective, why change, to this system) there’s large numbers on the roof sign, there’s registration plate on the vehicle, there’s was a drivers badge with a number, a photograph on the fare card, how much more identification is required.

You must ask, why such an increase, her reply will probably be (there was no increase for years) where is the justification (to cover costs) where does the money go? (On administration) a great P.R. response, considering it’s 3 euro to laminate an A4 sheet, that would produce 3 large cards, and 3 smart cards, the design is pretty much routine, perhaps the hologram is hallmarked, does she not realise the industry is in meltdown, and this is just another stealth tax. (Demand she scrap the system and revert to the badge, and use her section 34(3) act in a more positive way)

You spoke of the decisions the advisory council make, with little knowledge of the industry, demand its disbandment, or call for them to resign. If you are stakeholders in the industry, why are all fines and penalties all on the upper end of the

Taxi News


scale? The decision or ideas she makes in her executive swivel chair from her plush office, in Fitzwilliam Sq, nothing more affordable mind, makes no business sense and is not economic reality, she has no idea how it impacts on genuine operators. It’s obvious, she does not heed the advice from those in the business, and seems to make changes with advice from afar, and you end up paying for it.

I believe the area of operation, was originally on the roof 1. sign, and removed; now it’s coming backThe fare stickers for the window, that interfaced with the 2. window mechanism, and created a blind spot for drivers.Made to wear seatbelt, unable to defend yourself, or make 3. a quick exit from the vehicle, were you to be attacked, A taxi license to cost 250 euro for 3 years,4. A suitability test by SGS in 37 locations, another appointment 5. and journey, with no fees decided as yet, when it could be included in the N.C.T. in one location. More delay and expense.

This is unbelievable, no excuses, just unbelievable. This is nothing, but contempt for genuine operators. Minister Dempsey, can see no problems and puts it down to the regulator. The regulator continues to make bad decisions and quotes section 34 of 2003 act, and you, the stakeholder have no say or input, just more expense.

I would demand a meeting with Brian Cowen, he is the boss, for a total review of the Regulators decisions making process, remember he met the Quinn group who has 3500 employees, how many in the taxi industry risk going out of business, Communication and cooperation is the new agenda, Mr. Dempsey needs to be responsible for the diabolical decisions of the regulator, and she need to use better judgement and apply some common sense, stop creating a negative climate

in industrial relations, or using the 2003 act to justify her decisions, listen to the grievance from within the industry with a better understanding and a more constructive outcome. I wish you well and hope you find my views helpful and worthwhile. Thank you. Taxi user and observer.

the relevant points i make;Ref; The National driving license, passport, safe pass, RSA drivers card, Birth Cert, are recognised national documents and accepted worldwide.

The taxi driving license is regional, only operational in the area it is issued, if it were a National License it appears it’s cost would be 250 x 26 = 6500 euro, a national taxi driving license is a nonsense of course, but the principle remains the same.

The real cost for a taxi license I believe, taking account of all issues and other public documents to form a benchmark, would be 10 euro for 5 years and in line with all other public bodies charges.

Ref; to the national driven test, you have the ability to adapt, and apply changes to any new rules or regulations that come about through the passage of time.

Ref; acquired right, The Road Safety Authority set the standards for our roads, and are fully aware of the dangers that distractions, cause accidents. I believe they have set a standard for acquired right to be fully implemented, can any public body deny others the same right, that bus/truck operators, politicians, and bankers have, irrespective of what powers they hold.

Ref; decisions she makes have failed the industry and its operators, and appears to undermine any previous regulation that worked, as if it were a free for all, or any of the other public bodies last in charge of the industry were incompetent.

Taxi News


helP is at hanD The financial pressures facing taxi drivers is being blamed for a disturbing rise in the number of suicides in the profession. Experts stress the importance of talking to professionals for anyone suffering from depression or under undue stress.

But, in July this year, two more taxi drivers took their own lives in a stark and tragic reminder of the despair which many are feeling as the recession continues to wreak havoc on people’s lives. Denise, the wife of one of the victims said that she believed financial troubles were to blame for her husband’s decision to take his own life. These heart-breaking deaths have highlighted the plight that many are feeling in what are increasingly desperate economic conditions. Hard-working people are facing intense financial pressure and, for some it can simply become unbearable.

Following the two deaths this Summer a silent vigil was held at Áras an Uachtaráin in memory of the high number of drivers who have taken their own lives. The silent candlelight vigil was addressed by representatives from suicide support organisation Console and organisers said they hoped their action would draw the Government’s attention to the tragedies which the industry had suffered.

Last Summer saw three taxi drivers in a single branch in West Dublin take their own lives and the tragedy spurred the launch of a campaign to highlight the growing plight of suicide in the taxi industry and Irish society

at large. As part of a countrywide initiative hundreds of suicide prevention information packs were publicised and sold by taxi drivers around the country.

The campaign, named Rogha after the Irish word for choice, was supported by the Samaritans, Aware and Suicide or Survive and included information which highlighted the fact that help is available to vulnerable people who are in danger of sinking into despair.

Among the provisions of the suicide prevention awareness packs which were made available as part of the campaign were two door magnets to place on the back doors of taxis, each containing contact details for Aware and Samaritans as well as a booklet called Life’s Little Survival Kit from the charity, Suicide or Survive, which were to be placed in the rear view mirrors of taxis and on passenger doors.

Taxi drivers are facing intense financial pressures

Taxi News


Helping to Defeat Depression

Each year more than 500 people in Ireland die by suicide. Experts suggest that more than 80% of suicides can be traced back to depression,

a treatable condition but one which people often fail to recognise.

Depression is very common affecting more than one in ten of us at any one time. Symptoms include feeling anxious or low; change in appetite or sleep pattern; poor concentration;

low self-esteem, and loss of interest in family, hobbies or life itself.

If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one contact Aware in confidence loCall Helpline 1890 303 302;

email: [email protected] or visit www.aware.ie

Don’t suffer in silence: Get help now. You are not alone.

One of the Organisers of the vigil Lisa Corr said that extreme and intolerable pressure was being placed on taxi drivers and there had been two notable clusters of suicides among drivers. “These deaths have upset the industry an awful lot,” she said. “The recession has hit everyone across the country but there are too many cars on the roads and that is hitting our industry hard. There are 11,000 drivers in Dublin now. That is more than in New York for the population,” she said.

According to President of the Irish Taxi Federation, John Usher there have been as many as nine suicides amongst taxi men in the last year. He said that taxi drivers are under enormous strain and many drivers had seen their cars or houses re-possessed. “It’s a drastic situation and taxi drivers are at the pin or their collar, their income been decimated and many are finding it almost impossible to stay afloat and meet their financial commitments. It’s difficult to comprehend what would make someone take such an ultimate and final step but I would urge anyone who is suffering from a great deal of stress or depression to seek counseling and professional help.

Commenting on the issue, Taxi Regulator Kathleen Doyle expressed her sympathy to the families of anyone affected by the tragedy of suicide and says she will be raising the issue with the National Office for Suicide Prevention who advise government on the matter. “Suicide is a worrying issue for the whole of society and naturally our sympathies are with the families of anyone affected by it. However, we are not qualified to help individual drivers who are experiencing any such difficulty and we would urge any driver with any difficulties

either in terms of their health or financial position to seek assistance from an appropriate source. This might be their GP, MABS, a trusted friend or colleague. Equally we would urge anyone who is suffering from depression to speak to a friend or family member and seek the support of qualified professional such as their GP, AWARE or the Samaritans.”

Dublin City Councillor Bill Tormey, who is also a practicing doctor has taken a particular interest in the plight fo taxi drivers says the pressures of the job is undoubtedly responsible for rising levels of stress and depression in the taxi industry. “There is no doubt that increased competition of major proportions is a feature of increasing stress in taxi drivers nation wide and it is particularly noticeable in Dublin. I think that taxi drivers should make time for daily exercise and avoid smoking and obesity. That is difficult for the depressed but would help a little.”

He also advises those with serious financial pressures to try to work in groups and lobby to have a sea change in the use of taxis in society. Comparative taxi costs across the eurozone would be a good place to start, he says while Rules and organisation may have to change to benefit the general body of drivers and not just the owners of big taxi companies.

CONTACT INFORMATIONDepression/suicide* suicide or survive, lo-call 1890 577577 * aware lo-call 1890 303302 * samaritans, call-save 1850 609090

Taxi News


taxi ComPlaint The level of complaints made against taxi drivers in the first quarter of this year represents an improvement on last year, according to the taxi regulator, Kathleen Doyle. Like last year, the majority of complaints relate to passengers being over-charged.

Almost two-thirds of complaints made about taxi drivers to the taxi regulator this year have related to overcharging. A total of 158 complaints were filed with the Commission for Taxi Regulation during the

first four months of 2010 as against 476 complaints filed for the whole of last year.

Approximately 69 per cent of complaints lodged this year relate to overcharging while 17 per cent relate to driver conduct and behavior. In addition, a further 11 per cent of complaints related to the hiring of a small public service vehicle (SPSV) while 3 per cent concern the condition and cleanliness of vehicles.

The commission undertook 31 prosecutions during the first four months of 2010 as against a total of 84 prosecutions for the whole of 2009. Additionally, it has issued 103 fixed-charge penalties in 2010, compared to 401 charges for 2009 as a whole.

According to the taxi regulator Kathleen Doyle, the volume of complaints is in decline and she is satisfied that the figures illustrate the increasing level of professionalism in the industry. “Complaints are declining,” she said. “Half-year figures for 2010 show a reduction in complaints from 248 to 207 over the same time period in 2009.

“It is notable that complaints so far this year are very low in relation to the condition and cleanliness of vehicles, with only six to the end of June, a drop from 16 in the same period in 2009 and complaints in relation to driver behavior have fallen significantly compared to last year, with 44 complaints to end June 2010 against 77 in the same period last year.

“I have always said that the vast majority of drivers within the industry provide an excellent service and for those that don’t, the complaints system is there to ensure that effective enforcement action can be taken.”

Ms Doyle believes that a campaign of information on fares represents the best means of reducing incidences of overcharging. “Later this year when a decision is made on the National Maximum Taxi Fare you will see a campaign to educate consumers of the new fare and also the introduction of an online fare estimator for consumers to estimate how much a journey may cost. I believe consumer education on the fare and how it should be applied is essential in ensuring the minority of drivers who engage in over-charging are identified and dealt with appropriately by the enforcement team.”

RogUE TAxIS AT THE gALWAY RACES

galway West TD and Chairman of the oireachtas Committee on Transport Frank Fahey called on the Taxi Regulator to sanction drivers who used the galway Races to take advantage of unsuspecting passengers.Three young Italian women who arrived in the city and hired a taxi to take them to their destination in oughterard, a distance of 18 miles, were charged €100. The correct price should have been about €45.An investigation is under way by the Taxi Regulator’s office into this and a number of other incidences which occurred at the racing festival. Local radio station galway Bay FM said it had received more than two dozen complaints from taxi passengers who said they had been overcharged. one driver charged three race goers €14 for a trip from the racecourse to the Clayton Hotel, a distance of just 350 metres.Mr Fahey said he had seen the “unethical” behavior of a number of drivers operating in galway. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I witnessed the type of rogue behavior of a number of taxi drivers in the city. I personally took the details of a number of taxis I observed taking part in queue jumping and have reported them directly to the regulator. I condemn this type of unethical approach to doing business by these drivers.” He confirmed that he had asked Taxi Regulator, Kathleen Doyle to deploy an enforcement officer in galway to deal with the “flaunting of regulations”.

Taxi News


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Atlas Tyres & Autoservice, Ireland’s expert in tyres and auto servicing, has signed a sponsorship deal with 2009 Irish Open golf champion Shane Lowry.

The deal will see Shane Lowry wear the Atlas Tyres logo on all of his golf apparel for the entirety of the 2010 European Tour golf season.

Announcing the deal earlier this year Brendan Callan, Managing Director of Atlas commented; “We are delighted to announce our association with Shane Lowry. His success at the 2009 Irish Open and around the world over the past year has been outstanding. As Shane looks to make his mark around the golfing world we are also making our mark with the continued expansion of our business throughout 2010 and beyond”.

Shane Lowry added: “I’m extremely grateful to Atlas Tyres for their sponsorship and support during my first full year on the European Tour. It’s great to be involved with an Irish company, particularly one that is continuing to grow at the current time. I look forward to working with Brendan and his team at Atlas Tyres”.

To celebrate the announcement of their sponsorship, Atlas Tyres launched an in-store competition offering three customers the chance to play with Shane Lowry at Baltray Golf Club, scene of his famous Irish Open triumph.

Atlas Tyres and Autoservice is an Irish owned independent tyre company trading since 1972 providing automotive services to both retail and account customers. An Irish success story, the owner background stretches back to the family business of DC Exhausts, Ireland’s first multi depot tyre and car repairs

Atlas Tyres launch sponsorship with Irish Open Champion Shane Lowry

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Taxi News


You’ve been a representative of the taxi industry for a long time and you’ve been through difficult times before but you have said that this is the worst period that the taxi industry has ever been through?

Well I was told by a European colleague recent that I’m the longest serving taxi representative in Europe, I came into the industry in the 60’s and it was certainly bad, there’s no doubt about that. A night’s wages in those days was about three Irish pounds which was not much at all but it still took an awful lot of hours to earn that three quid. But while it was very difficult, it was not as bad as it is now. I have never seen the business as bad as it is at the moment and it’s extremely difficult for taxi drivers to make any kind of a reasonable living. I try and avoid driving through town now because it’s a sad sight to see every taxi rank crammed to capacity with taxis and none of them moving, it’s very disheartening and I know how difficult it is for them. Everybody can see how difficult it is and everybody is

In over forty years in the taxi industry, John Ussher, President of the Irish Taxi Federation can’t recall a time when things have been so bad with many taxi drivers literally living on the bread line. The only remedy which might restore some stability to the industry is to eliminate part-time drivers from working as taxi drivers.

harD times

"we've all seen old films in the states with the soup kitchens and

sometimes it seems as if we're not a stones throw away from that."

Taxi News

Official magazine Of the irish taxi Drivers feDeratiOn |61

asking the same thing - how do taxi drivers manage to earn a shilling with so many of them. People who probably never use taxis will know how bad it is just by looking at the amount of taxis out there out there looking for fares.

But the politicians and the people who can make a difference must be walking around with their eyes closed, they just don’t want to know and that’s very unfortunate, There doesn’t appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel for people in the taxi business and the people who can make changes and address some of the problems just don’t seem to want to know.

The economy is in an awful state and people will say it’s bad everywhere and everyone is feeling the pinch, not just those in the taxi business, but believe me nothing is as bad as the taxi business. In other sectors people are still getting a weeks wages, maybe not the weeks wages they were getting previously but they’re still getting paid and they’re getting their holiday pay and they’re getting social welfare when they’re out sick, taxi drivers get nothing, and their earning capability has never been as bad as it is at present. I think we’re going to see an awful lot of young men with mortgages left with no choice but to leave the business and that’s regrettable.

What can you say to taxi drivers who are under considerable pressure and finding it difficult to make ends meet?I’m very seldom stuck for words but when people come into me in the office and tell me how bad things are out there, I’m afraid that I’ve nothing positive to tell them. It’s very disheartening and it’s extremely difficult. I feel so sorry for them but the fact is that talk is cheap, you can say anything you want, but what the men out there need is action, they need change and they need something done to bring about a better income.

If you’re out there and you’ve a young family and you’re coming home with forty euro for a day’s work, you know you’re not going to be able to pay your bills and that creates huge stress. That’s the level of income that many taxi drivers are having to live on now, it’s less than the dole in many cases and it creates a great strain.

We’ve all seen old films in the States with the soup kitchens and sometimes it seems that we’re not a stone’s throw away from that, things are just so bad, it’s unreal. As well as that taxi drivers don’t have the same safety net available to them as other workers in terms of social welfare entitlements. If you’re working in a job and all of a sudden you’re made redundant or find yourself out of work, you have an automatic entitlement to the dole because you’ve paid PRSI but our PRSI contributions only cover us for the old age pension and survivors pension in the event of death. We don’t have an automatic entitlement and what we have to do is go to a relieving officer who will decide whether to give you anything or not. It's subject to a means test and you’re literally meant to be on the bread line before they’ll give you anything and in most cases it will be less than the dole.

Does it annoy you when you see the government pumping €25 billion and probably more into Anglo Irish Bank?

When you see all that type of thing and all the money going into bailing out the banks because of their recklessness and greed and then you look at the situation of taxi drivers, you have to ask does anybody careat all.

The grant towards the wheelchair accessible that we looked for wouldn’t have cost a fortune and we’re still waiting on it, even though we applied for it many years ago. The taxi regulator also applied for it and she’s had no response either.

Taxi News


Then they find it necessary to increase the driver’s badge to €250 at a time when everything is being cut back and prices are being slashed everywhere but ours goes up by 8000%.. It’s hard to credit.

So far, there’s been no charges imposed for the yearly suitability test and that should remain the case because the regulator has enough money out of the license fees and should have more than enough to pay for the suitability test. Taxi drivers just can’t pay anymore, the money just isn’t there.

You clearly have a lot of grievances but at the same time the Federation didn’t participate in the strikes that were taking place earlier in the year, why did you opt out of the strikes?

Well, the taxi drivers involved in organising and taking part in the protests would probably want what I want, we would all want the same thing. I think it’s fair to say that all of the representative bodies, both new and old all want the same thing and that’s what’s best for taxi drivers. Where we have different opinions is in deciding how we achieve what’s best for drivers. Some people think that taking to the streets and protesting is the way forward but my own view is that we are better off sitting around a table and tying to negotiate and achieve our objectives through negotiation.

I fully accept that progress has been slow but we have achieved some of our objectives by sitting around the table, we’ve seen the end of the saloon type cars being issued licenses and it’s only wheelchair accessible taxis that will be issued licenses from now on. That was achieved by sitting around the table.

The nine year old car rule was due to be implemented in 2012 and the taxi regulator wanted it brought forward to 2010 but through negotiation we got a compromise making it 2011.

At present we’re discussing the driver’s skills development programme that all existing taxi drivers have to do and we’re

still trying to achieve getting a compliance certificate instead of a pass or a fail. We’re also focussing on finding ways of eliminating part-time drivers from the industry, that would be a huge step forward and would solve a lot of problems, they’re just operating at peak hours and taking the best of the work and making life extremely difficult for those who depend on the taxi business for all their earnings.

We’re engaging with both the Minister and the regulator and the ideal situation for me would be for both the regulator and the Federation to jointly approach the Minister and agree a way of prohibiting part-timers from the industry. I’ll knock at their door of anyone who is prepared to listen and take on board what we have to say.

We’re also looking for telephones to be placed on all taxi ranks and this is something which is badly needed. It’s only through negotiation that we’ll make progress and achieve our objectives, a lot of people who have been protesting outside the regulators office are demanding extra ranks, but the provision of additional ranks is not the responsibility of the regulator, ranks are provided by the local councils and, we get very good co-operation from Dublin City Council, if we request more ranks in a particular area, they’re very quick to respond and very agreeable and they’ve asked us on numerous occasions to inform them if any of our members know of any sites that they think would be suitable for use as taxi ranks. So, there was no need for a strike to look for more ranks because they’ve been very co-operative with us and I believe they do their best to facilitate us.

In relation to stopping licenses which we would all like to see happen, again that’s not the regulator’s responsibility, only the Minister for Transport can cap licenses. So you can’t lump all these things in together and protest at the regulators office because like I say, some of the things people were protesting about were not the responsibility of her office anyway – I haven’t ruled out taking part in a protest and at some stage it

"I would like to see the Minister taking a more active role in addressing the

problems facing the industry."

we need to engage with politicians if we're to address the problems in the

industry and representatives like Tommy Broughan seem to have a good

knowledge of the problems facing taxi drivers.

Taxi News


may happen if we feel all other options have been exhausted but for the moment I am still hopeful that we can make progress on some of the key issues I mentioned through negotiation.

You feel that the most important issue now is to try and prohibit part-time taxi drivers from working in the industry?That would certainly help to address the over-supply problems and that for me is certainly the main issue at present. I think if we’re successful in addressing the issue of part-timers, it would definitely thin out the numbers to a significant extent and have a noticeable and immediately positive impact

I think it’s morally wrong that a full time driver has to sit behind a part-time driver who has a weeks wages in his pocket from an alternative occupation , and like all other representatives, we want to see the part-timers kicked out.

You’ve been critical of the current Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey in the past. Has there been any improvement in terms of his readiness to engage with the problems in the taxi industry?

It’s been a while since we sat down with the Minister and on most issues he just directs you back to the regulator. The only function he has is control of numbers and he doesn’t seem interested. But we are meeting continuously with politicians to try and improve conditions for taxi drivers.

I would like to see the Minister take a more active role in addressing the problems facing the industry, he can’t just close his eyes and pretend everything is fine, taxi drivers are suffering a great deal, not just in Dublin but all around the country. There is a huge numbers of people employed in our business and if we were in any other business, there would be more interest taken but as taxi drivers we seem to be treated like lepers, no one seems to want to know and it’s disappointing to see the Minister for Transport effectively absolve himself of all responsibility for the chaos in the industry. He has to take some of the responsibility for the state we’re in but he doesn’t appear to be willing to rectify or address the real issues.

The Minister talks about the safety of driver’s but he’s still allowing people to do a days work and then come out and get behind the wheel of a taxi and has no comment to make on this key issue. It’s a contradiction to me if, in one breathe, you’re saying you want drivers to be safe and to pull in and take a rest, then in another, you’re prepared to license them to come out of a full time job and go and drive a taxi. That’s not acceptable to us as taxi drivers, we take pride in our business and I suspect that it is a cause of concern for many passengers as well.

The level of stress in the taxi business is at crisis levels and there’s a frightening number of taxi drivers who have literally been made ill with stress, young people trying to make ends meet in this business and paying sky high mortgages on properties now worth a fraction of what they paid for them, I don’t know how they’re surviving, I just do not know. I know a lot of people will blame their representative bodies and say we didn’t do enough and we didn’t get enough and I will accept that we didn’t succeed in a lot of the negotiations but I won’t accept that we didn’t try. We are giving it our very best effort and will continue to give our best efforts but often you feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall and no one is prepared to listen?

Is there a political party which you feel is sympathetic to the industry and might be prepared to take the steps necessary to address the problems?

At this point, perhaps the labour party and Tommy Brougham certainly appears to have a strong grip of the issues facing the taxi industry, he’s on the Oireachtas Transport Committee and he was very vocal in support of Frank Fahey’s recommendations. The fact is, whether we like it or not, we’re going to need the politicians if we are to heal what’s wrong in the industry

But when it comes to the ballot box and I go to vote, I look at all the manifestoes from all the political parties and I would normally pick which one I think would be best for taxi men and vote accordingly. I don’t have any political allegiance to any party and I would vote for whatever party is promising the best for taxi drivers. At the moment, it’s too early to commit to any one party, it’s easy to make promises but we haven’t seen any specific proposals or manifestos and talk is cheap, so I’m waiting until we see something more concrete.

Politicians and manifesto’s are all great and very well but they all relate to the individual party and if you end up with a coalition which is the likely outcome in Ireland, they’ll all say that the promises in their manifesto only apply if they get in on their own and not necessarily if they enter government in a coalition with another party, so that’s something every taxi driver should be aware of.

Are there any other issues causing problems at present?

One thing we haven’t touched on is the taxi radio companies offering huge discounts on fares which we are adamantly opposed to. The loser there isn’t the taxi company, it’s the taxi driver and the drivers aren’t even consulted in a lot of cases, they’re just told, we’re going to reduce fares by 10% or 20%

The radio companies aren’t generating work with this price cut, they’re just taking some other companies work, so it’s a vicious circle. I never thought I’d see the day when we’d see price cutting in the taxi services. I’s very disheartening to see the drivers who are already suffering a considerable loss of wages now being made to give a further discount. I don’t know how they’re surviving and I’d ask the radio companies to have a think about this because the taxi company certainly isn’t gaining and we have to put a stop to this price cutting because it’s further damaging morale in the business.

Taxi News


REMovE UNNECESSARY WEIgHT :

Don’t start ripping the panels, seats or wheels from your car, just remove any objects that aren’t strictly necessary and particularly anything which is adding weight to the car and making the engine burn more fuel. Get rid of recreational items that you just use on the occasional weekend - every 50kg of weight in the car is estimated to increase the engines fuel consumption by an average of 2 percent.

KEEp A CoNSISTENT SpEED:

Maintaining a steady and consistent speed on will help to reduce fuel consumption.. Driving at high speeds means more fuel is used to combat increased air resistance, but driving at very low speeds can be dangerous to fellow road users. If you drive at 120 km/h rather than keeping a steady 100 km/h, fuel consumption can increase by over 20%!

pUMp Up YoUR TYRES:

A single tyre that is under-inflated by two pounds of pressure can increase your car’s fuel consumption by 1 percent. There are four tyres on your car so maintaining the proper tyre pressure is important in controlling your fuel consumption. An under-inflated tyre not only adds an unnecessary strain on your engine, but will also increase thread wear on your tyres. Check the recommended PSI for your car in your owner’s manual.

With ever increasing fuel costs, it pays to take some simple steps to reduce costs.

reDuCe your motoring CostsDoN’T RUN THE ENgINE WHEN STATIoNARY:

If the engine is left ticking over for more than 10 seconds, it actually wastes more fuel than restarting the engine and can consume up to four litres of fuel per hour. At present prices this is more than €5 worth of petrol. If you do have to stop and start, minimise the amount of time you sit with the engine in idle. If you know you are going to be sitting at a traffic light for a minute or two, turn off your engine and save fuel in the process.

CLEAN YoUR CAR’S AIR FILTER:

The air filter is a particularly important component and prevents dirt from entering the engine. It is easy to maintain but over time it becomes clogged with dirt and needs to be replaced. Driving your car around with a dirty filter can reduce your car’s fuel economy by over 10% and a new air filter only costs around €30 to purchase.

gENTLE ACCELERATIoN:

Brake gently and early: rough accelerating and braking will put greater strain on your car. Prevent excess wear by looking further ahead and braking earlier & more gently. Give yourself enough room behind the cars in front of you to see what the conditions are like ahead. This will help you avoid tapping the brakes and constantly using the accelerator.

CHANgINg gEARS:

Don’t change up the gears too early: you’re not being kind to your car or saving fuel. It causes the engine to strain and doesn’t help save fuel because you have to press the accelerator harder.

RUNNINg oN EMpTY:

Don’t run your fuel tank to near empty: a lot of gunk lurks at the bottom of a fuel tank which will do your engine no favours if sucked up into it. Get into the habit of filling up when your tank is down to a quarter full.

SERvICINg

Most people who own a car have no idea how it runs and what to do to when things go wrong. The problem with this is that mechanics know you have no idea and some might try and take you for a ride. By learning a few things about your car you could save yourself a great deal of money and time by not needing to take your vehicle in every time something goes wrong. Things that are easy to do such as changing your own battery, checking and replacing oil, how to change blown light globes or fuses and changing belts could save you big time on your yearly servicing bill.

Taxi News


Citroën Motors Ireland will therefore now offer exclusive Taxi/Hackney Driver discounts across their passenger range, enabling individuals with a SPSV License to receive discounts on the Citroën C4 Picasso, C5 Saloon,

C5 Tourer, Xsara Picasso and the Berlingo Multispace. Set These exclusive discounts officially recognise the taxi driving

community as a fleet partner with Citroën Motors Ireland and provide driver’s with lower prices than available through normal consumer offers.

Commenting on this new initiative Thierry Calewaert, Managing Director for Citroën Motors Ireland, explained:

“Taxi drivers represent a very large and important sector of the Motor Industry here in Ireland and with a National fleet in excess of 25,000 vehicles we are obviously very eager to increase the number of Citroën Taxis on our roads.

The Taxi Regulator Reform, requiring that all cars must be less than nine years old by January 2011, will inevitably mean that an increasing number of drivers will be looking to change their vehicle between now and the end of the year. We are confident that with our wide choice of stylish and reliable models, fitted with ultra efficient, clean HDi engines, the Citroën Brand is perfectly suited

to meet the needs of the Irish Taxi

Driver.”

The recently established Citroën Motors Ireland, established at the beginning of 2010, is investing further in the market by bringing exciting new models and offers to the Irish customer. Already having launched, the all new Citroën C3, C3 Picasso and the fantastic DS3, Citroën have now turned their attention to SPSV license holders in an effort to increase their share of the Taxi fleet.

These exclusive terms will enable Taxi Drivers to purchase the Irish Car of the Year 2009 - Citroën C5 or load loving models such as the Citroën C4 Picasso, the Citroën Berlingo Multispace or the Xsara Picasso all at exceptional prices. To avail of the exclusive discounts drivers should email [email protected] or phone (0) 18851 651 with details of the vehicle(s) they are interested in.

Citroën Berlingo Multispace is one model that has proved popular with many Taxi drivers across Europe on the basis of its unique combination of versatility, big car comfort and passenger space, excellent fuel economy and low running costs.

The Citroën Berlingo Multispace offers taxi operators the ability to carry up to four passengers with the space and comfort of a much larger vehicle - as well as providing an unrivalled amount of luggage space. In addition, the Berlingo Multispace also appeals to operators with its ability to offer - when its rear seats are folded - nearly the same amount of load space as a Berlingo van!

The Citroën C5, awarded the Irish Car of the Year in 2009 is perfect for those drivers wanting more luxury with the VTR+ Nav model priced at €28,900 (before Tax Discount Driver Discount) fitted with a built in Sat Navigation and Bluetooth system as standard.

The Citroën range delivers comfort and reliability essential to taxi operators with a 2 Year / unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty on all new models.

CONTACT INFORMATIONVisit www.citroen.ie or contact your local Citroën dealer to view the range of models available. Don’t forget to email [email protected] to receive your discount terms.

exClusive taxi Deals!

Left: Berlingo Multispace

VTr F34

Below: C5 saloon

VTr+NAV F34

Taxi News


The race to convert Irish motorists to electric vehicles is on and more than 200,000 Irish motorists will be driving electric cars in just over a decade, according to the Minister for Communications, Energy and

Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan. The Minister has launched details of a significant new

collaboration between Government, the semi-state electricity supplier ESB and between car manufacturer Renauult-Nissan which will ensure that electric vehicles will be on Irish roads within two years. A Memoranda of Understanding signed by Minister Ryan on behalf of the Government and by Chief Executive of the ESB, Padraig McManus will create favourable conditions for the distribution of electric vehicles to the Irish market by Renault- Nissan.

This historic agreement is proof of Government’s firm intention to act on the electrification of transport,” said Minister Ryan. “Some months ago, I announced the government electric

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources plans to have 10% of all cars on Irish roads fuelled by electricity generous incentives are being made available to encourage motorists to make the switch to electric cars.

vehicles target of 10% by 2020 and the Memorandum of Understanding will help us not only realise but surpass this target. We are well on our way and our streets will see the change very shortly.

The Minister said the initiative will transform our streets, cut carbon emissions and change the face of transport in Ireland and he praised the contribution of ESB to the initiative. “Again, we see the ESB stepping up to the plate to secure Ireland’s future and I commend them for their vision and work in this regard. This collaboration will provide the world with a model for how electric vehicles can be achieved globally.”

ESB Chief Executive Padraig MCManus describes the plan as an “opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate its leadership in the green revolution, including in electric transport. “ESB is currently rolling out a nationwide infrastructure to support the widespread use of electric cars and Ireland will be one of the first counties in the world to have a nationwide electric

it’s eleCtriC

Taxi News


charging network which will offer opportunities for enterprise and job creation, as well as the obvious environmental benefits of ultimately having a decarbonised transport fleet,” he said.

ESB is designing an infrastructure that will ensure open access to all car manufacturers and all energy suppliers. Trials and pilots are being conducted by ESB to test the infrastructure and collect the date necessary to examine driving trends, usage patterns as ewll as the new electric car lifestyle experience. “We will guarantee open access to all electricity suppliers and car manufacturers and can ensure adherence to the strictest safety standards for the recharging points,” said McManus.

The country’s first electric vehicle charge points were launched earlier this year by Minister Ryan and Padrain McManus. The charge points were unveiled in Dublin city centre and marked the beginning of a nationwide infrastructure designed to revolutionise transport in Ireland. Charge points will eventually be installed in homes, on-street and along motor-ways throughout Ireland so electric cars can be powered at a wide range of accessible venues.

The ESB plan to build 3500 charge points by the end of 2011 – a total of 2000 domestic units and a further r1500 on-street charge points, according to Padraign McManus. Up to 30 fast chargers will also be installed by the end of next year. “ESB’s corporate strategy of the decarbonisation of its electricity generation by 2035 will allow for the development of a decarbonised national transport system. We are working closely with Govenrment, the Commission for energy Regulation and key players to create the right conditions as Ireland is an ideal model in terms of scale for this development.

The plan to install the 1500 on Street charge Points by 2011 will see an allocation of 500 for Dublin city and county, 135 for Cork and 45 each for Limerick, Galway and Waterford. The remaining charge points will be located throughout the Republic and at last one will be built for every town with a population of more than 1,500. The 30 fast chargers to be built

by 2011 will be located along all major inter urban routes, 60 km apart. Nine of these will be installed by the end of 2011 and twice that number will be built next year.

A spokesperson for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources says that the Minister is keen to encourage taxi drivers to switch to electric vehicles and there are a number of options under consideration to encourage their use in the industry. In addition to placing charging facilities available at taxi ranks, other financial based incentives are being examined.

Electric cars are significantly more efficient and cheaper to run and maintain than conventional fossil fuelled cars It is estimated that running an electric car costs 3 cents per mile as opposed to 15 cent per mile for a conventional car. The environmental benefits are enormous as all EVs has zero C02 emissions.

The use of electric vehicles on Irish roads will lead to reduced C02 levels critical to meeting Ireland’s emissions targets and Ireland’s dependency on imported oil will also be reduced by a greater uptake of electric vehicles. Ireland has one of the highest penetration of wind in Europe, this renewable energy resource is better utilised in charging electric vehicles which effectively provide storage facilities for the wind generated at non peak load times.

Payment method options involve home charging domestic electricity suppliers while public on-street charging is free until end of 2010. Payment systems eventually developed will be designed to ensure all electricity suppliers can compete through a common physical charging infrastructure.

The Government has also announced a range of incentives to encourage Irish motorists to purchase electric vehicles and a €500 grant is being provided to buyers while electric vehicles will also be exempt from Vehicle Registration Tax. In addition the ESB will provide charging infrastructure in the homes of anyone purchasing an electric vehicle.

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Contacts

Taxi News - Feature


‘CeaD mile failte’Ireland’s taxi drivers are the third friendliest in the world, according to a survey by travel website Hotels.com which also ranked London Taxis as the best in the world for the second year in a row.

followed by Berlin (17pc), Bangkok (14pc), Madrid (14pc) and Copenhagen (11pc). Irish taxi drivers ranked eighth overall in the world with a score of 11pc, followed by cabbies in Frankfurt (10pc) and Paris (10pc).

Taxi drivers in Rome were voted the worst drivers in the world with almost one in 10 travelers thinking the Italian capital had the world’s worst taxi drivers when it came to the quality of driving.

Taxis are one of the first experiences that many travellers have on arrival in a new city, so it is important for taxis to make a good impression on visitors. In fact, the research found that cabs are by far the most popular method of travel from airport to hotel. More than two thirds of travellers said that they regularly take a cab to their hotel when arriving in a city.

Fine Gael Tourism Spokesperson, Jimmy Deenihan TD, has welcomed the survey results showing Dublin taxi drivers are the third friendliest in the world. “They say first impressions last and, for many tourists, their first experience of a country is in a taxi. It is to the great credit of Dublin taxi drivers that visitors to Ireland’s capital have voted them third friendliest in the world in a Hotels.

The poll of international travelers voted London cabbies as the friendliest in the world and they also performed best across the seven categories of the report including cleanliness, value, quality of driving,

knowledge of the area, friendliness, safety and availability.Despite being voted the most expensive, London taxis, beat

rivals across the globe to head the list for the third consecutive year, scoring a total of 59 percent in votes on several categories by travelers. London taxi drivers were voted both friendliest and most knowledgeable. Drivers in the English capital must pass a rigorous examination called The Knowledge to earn their taxi license.

New York’s yellow taxis came second in the list, scoring 27 percent which was up 10 percentage points from last year even though Manhattan’s cab drivers tied with Parisian taxi drivers as the rudest. Travellers heading to the Big Apple will not have to wait long for a car and one in five travellers voted them the most available taxis on the planet.

Taxi drivers in Tokyo (26%) came Third in the rankings

Feature - Taxi News


com survey. Taxis are an important element of our tourism industry and this survey again emphasises that,” he said.

“Failte Ireland should work with the National Taxi Drivers Union and the Regulator to continue to improve this service by providing taxi drivers with tourist information so that they can be well versed on the cultural attractions of Dublin and best assist with tourists’ queries.

“Ireland’s reputation as a welcoming, warm country is one of our great strengths. The survey results for Dublin taxi drivers are a great reminder to all involved in the tourist industry that friendly customer service always makes an impact,” Deenihan added.

John Ussher, President of the Irish Taxi Federation also welcomed the findings of the survey and said the results reflected well on the professionalism of Irish drivers who made considerable efforts with their passengers despite the difficulties they are facing in the current climate.

* Research was conducted amongst 1,400 travellers from the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Denmark in May 2009

tOP taxis

The European poll also looked at the top taxi destinations for cleanliness, value, quality of driving, knowledge of the area, friendliness, safety and availability. These findings include:• London cab drivers are the friendliest in the world: With 16% of

the vote, London cabbies beat the Irish to the title of the world’s most friendly taxi drivers. Dublin came a close second, with 11%.

• Service without a smile: With less of a focus on customer service, the survey found taxi parisian and New York taxi drivers to be the rudest in the world.

• Taxi drivers in Rome are the worst in the world when it comes to quality of driving.

• London taxi drivers know their city best with New York drivers coming in second

• Travellers voted Athens as being the worst city in the world for taxi cleanliness.

• queuing in paris: Those heading to paris may have to get used to queuing for a cab and the French capital was named as the worst city in the world when it comes to availability of taxis.

• paying a high price for London cabs: Despite being voted the best city overall, London was named the most expensive city in the world for taxis.

• Safety first in London: London cabs may be pricey, but the city’s cabs were also voted the safest in the world.

the top ten cities in the world for taxis

London 59%

New York 27%

Toky

o 26

%

Berlin

17%

Bangkok 14%

Madrid 14%

Copenhagen 11%

Dublin 11%

Frankfurt 10%Paris 10%

The survey for hotels.com, part of the Expedia group, was conducted among over 1,900 travelers between May 11-28 this year.

Rank City 1 London2 New York3 Tokyo4 Berlin5 Bangkok 6 Madrid7 Copenhagen8 Dublin9 Frankfurt 10 paris

Taxi News - out & About


gUINNESS SToRE HoUSE

The Guinness Store House is located in St James’s Gate, just a short stroll from Dublin City Centre and accessible by bus or tram. The Storehouse is located in the hearth of the famous Guinness Brewery in Dublin and is the top tourist attraction in Ireland. The Storehouse traces the history of Guinness and its creator, Arthur Guinness who established the Guinness Brewery in 1759. Arthur signed a 9,000 year lease for the brewery in Saint James’s Gate at a cost of £45 per Annum. The Storehouse was originally built in 1904 to house the fermentation process of creating Guinness. Like many buildings in Ireland during that period, the design followed the Chicago style of architecture with massive steel beams being the main support structure. Until 1988 the fermentation process was housed in the Storehouse.

The Storehouse spans 7 storeys which take you from the main ingredients in a pint of Guinness to the amazing Gravity Bar which provides 360 degree views over Dublin City. Each floor takes you though a different aspect of the world famous Guinness Brewery until you reach the Gravity Bar.

Situated on the Ireland’s East Coast, Dublin is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and renowned as a popular and attractive. The unique character of Dublin is one of the most compelling reasons to visit Dublin but with so much on offer, including museums, exhibitions, and wonderful shopping, entertainment and nightlife, it can be difficult to decide how to spread your time. Here are some of the things which shouldn’t be missed.

TEMpLE BAR

Temple Bar is located on the South Side of the River Liffey and between the two major shopping districts in Dublin, Grafton Street and Henry Street. The area began a long and slow decline into urban decay during the 19th Century but in the early 1990s the Irish Government set up a not-for-profit company to oversee the regeneration of the area as Dublin’s Cultural Quarter. Since then, the area has gone from strength to strength and is now of the major tourist hot spots in Dublin. While Temple Bar is the Cultural Quarter in Dublin, it is also home to more than its fair share of restaurants, bars and shops. At night the area is flooded with nightlife revellers and stag / hen parties while by day the area takes on a more normal facade.

BooK oF KELLS

The Book of Kells is one of the most famous manuscripts in the history of the world and was completed in about 800 AD. It is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to Trinity College Dublin each year. The vellum (calfskin) manuscript contains transcriptions of the four Gospels, lavishly illustrated and ornamented. It is the most elaborate manuscript of its kind to survive from the early Middle Ages.

The scribes and artists who created the Book of Kells were monks who lived in a monastery on the remote island of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland. The monastery was founded late in the sixth century by an Irish monk, St Colmcille.

At the time the manuscript was produced, Irish monks were renowned throughout the rest of Europe for their work as scribes and illustrators.

DuBlin’s fare City

out & About - Taxi News


THE CHANgINg FACE oF DUBLIN Zoo

There is an air of excitement in Dublin Zoo and it’s not even feeding time! The Zoo is changing and changing fast. Chances are - if you haven’t been for a while, you’ll be amazed at what you will find. Don’t though, expect to find cages, bars, concrete or disconsolate, bored animals.

The Zoo has been transformed from a menagerie that then mirrored its Victorian heritage of animals displayed as curiosities, to a place where the joy of learning about wildlife and conservation is at the heart of everything.

Visitors will now find that they are not merely spectators – looking at a series of exotic exhibits – but they become part of the animal’s habitat. As they explore the Zoo they discover, in subtle, enjoyable, ways, more about the diversity of species, their adaptations and why they are endangered in the world outside, than they ever could in a text book.

Today Dublin Zoo is recognised as one of the most modern zoos in Europe – and is increasingly an integral part of European Zoo breeding programmes. Crucially though - it’s a great day out for all the family and soaring visitor numbers – have shown that there is an enormous appreciation by Dubliners for their Zoo

The Kaziranga Forest Trail is reminiscent of the great Kaziranga National Park in India. It not only gives the herd of Asian elephants a wonderful new habitat but, as they follow the meandering trail, immerses visitors into the animal’s world and allows glimpses of them in as near a natural environment as is possible.

NATIoNAL MUSEUM oF IRELAND - DECoRATIvE ARTS

The National Museum of Ireland is situated at Collins Barracks in Dublin. The National Museum of Ireland is split into three sections, Archaeology & History, Decorative Arts & History and Natural History.The Decorative Arts & History aspect of the National Museum of Ireland is situated in Collins Barracks and contains a wide range of artefacts including weapons, furniture, silver, glassware, ceramics and dress costumes. There is no shortage of exhibitions and educational offerings held in the National Museum of Ireland.DUBLIN CASTLE

The Book of Kells contains 680 pages (or 340 folios). Just two of the pages are not illustrated, while about thirty folios, including some major decorated pages, have been lost. The Book of Kells is the most famous manuscript in the Library of Trinity College Dublin where it is permanently on display.

THE oLD JAMESoN DISTILLERY

Set in Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7 in the heart of Ireland’s thriving capital city, The Old Jameson Distillery captures the imagination and the spirit of Ireland. A visit to the Old Jameson Distillery is an unforgettable experience that will transport you back in time to the days when one of Ireland’s greatest entrepreneurs, John Jameson, first made the whiskey that is our legacy today.

Re-live the story of John Jameson & Son through the history, the atmosphere and above all the taste. You will discover the time honoured secret of how three simple ingredients - water, barley and yeast - are transformed into the smooth golden spirit that has always been and continues to be Jameson Irish Whiskey. Let expert guides take you back in time as they lead you through the fascinating story of JAMESON, the world’s preferred quality whiskey.

After the Tour, all visitors are rewarded with a Jameson signature drink and lucky volunteers are selected to participate in a tutored whiskey comparison and earn a much coveted personalised Whiskey Taster Certificate.



TAKE A CoMpLEMENTARY ToUR oF THE NATIoNAL WAx MUSEUM

The museum is an outstandingly original visitor attraction which has been completely re-imagined and designed focusing on a fun and interactive visitor experience. While remaining true to the ethos of a wax museum, the National Wax Museum plus presents a snap shot of Irish cultural heritage but with a very modern twist!visitors to the museum are taken on a journey through Irish history, an enchanting children’s zone of discovery. Ireland’s only dedicated tribute to our top scientific inventors, a green screen video room, a recording studio and all the exceptional life-like wax work characters you can expect at the national museum. The National Museum plus offers a museum experience unlike any other. Why not pay a visit and see for yourself!

“ The National Wax Museum plus invites the cities Taxi Drivers and their families to take a complementary tour of the museum and further to this enjoy a 10% discount in our coffee shop and the use of our facilities.

To avail of this offer and pick up you Taxi driver pack please call 01 6718373”

Contact details: The Armoury, Foster Place, Temple Bar Dublin 2. Tel: 01 6718373



Dublin Castle is situated just off Dame Street in Dublin City Centre and is easily accessed by bus, foot or taxi. The castle is now a major Irish Governmental conference centre and hosts many significant international meetings annually. The history of Dublin Castle is fascinating. Most of what constitutes the current castle dates back to the 18th Century although a castle has been situated on this spot since the days of the first Lord of Ireland during the 12th Century. During British Rule in Ireland Dublin Castle was the centre of the occupational force. When the Irish Free State was established in 1922, Dublin Castle was handed over to Michael Collins during a ceremony.

KILMAINHAM gAoL

Situated in the suburb of Kilmainham, Kilmainham Gaol was a prison that played a significant role in the History of Ireland. The museum is accessible by bus or taxi from Dublin City Centre. Kilmainham Gaol was first constructed in 1796 and served as a prison for 140 years, during which time it held many historically famous Irishmen. After the 1916 Rising in Dublin, Kilmainham Gaol was used to house and execute most prisoners captured. The prison is a fantastic insight into the history of Ireland and her occupation by Britain. The jail was abandoned in 1924 by the Irish Free State.

gREAT vALUE DEALS AT THE pARK

Whether you’re planning a staff night out, a special family celebration, a corporate event or just a get together with friends this Summer there’s no better choice and value than the thrills of a night’s greyhound racing at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. If you’ve never experienced greyhound racing before then it’s time you came up to speed! Nothing beats the flutter of excitement when you place your bet; the rush of adrenalin as you see your dog sprinting from the traps or the sheer exhilaration of watching your choice race cross the finish line in pole position.

Shelbourne Park (Racing Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday) offers three action packed race nights every week in the capital and every one’s a winner! (Doors open 6.30/ First race 7.50pm) and with our Summer BBQ season now underway

there are options to suit every budget and taste. What makes greyhound racing special is the atmosphere.

You really need to experience it for yourself as words only fail to do it justice. Suffice to say the adrenaline rush whether trackside or at your reserved table is second to none. If quality counts down on the track, it counts just as much inside and throughout the stadium. Exciting as the racing is, understanding that people should have more than one reason to come to ‘The Dogs’ has been instrumental in the success of the “Night At The Dogs” experience. For this reason Shelbourne Park have spent many years perfecting the social side of things, offering luxurious facilities with superb dining options provided by “Dobbins” , buzzing bars, carvery facilities with a range of great value packages.

There’s no better way to unwind with friends or family than experiencing the occasion while enjoying the electric atmosphere of a race night. Dobbins Grandstand Restaurant packages on early week nights start from only €29.99 per person including admission and race-card, 4 course dinner in the Grandstand Restaurant offering panoramic views of all the racing action with both tote and bar service to your table. With two children dining free in every family restaurant package (Monday-Thursday nights inclusive) it really is an affordable night for all the family to enjoy. So whether you are on a work outing, on a corporate outing or simply enjoying a night out with friends or family you can really make a night of it without “breaking the bank”

Of course you don’t want to miss anything and you won’t!!Wherever you go in the stadium whether you are dining,

having a drink or carvery snack you can watch all the live racing action on the plasma screens.

Group packages such as the hugely popular Sizzler Deal start from as little as €9.99 per person. This deal includes admission and race card (normally €10), €2 drinks voucher, €1 tote voucher & Dobbins Sizzling Sausage & Chips. Challenging in the popularity stakes is the value for money Dobbins Platter Deal at only €15 per person which includes admission/race-card and a delicious platter of dobbins party favourites “designed to share”.

The venues also offers seven superb private suite facilities which can accommodate up to 260 people complete with



Hard Rock Cafes all over the world pride themselves on their collection of memorabilia and the Hard Rock Dublin is no exception! Our wide collection includes a pair of Bono's sunglasses, a favourite shirt

of Elvis's worn between 1954 & 1956, a pair of Paul McCartney's "Beatle Boots", a jacket worn by Madonna, a Paul Stanley guitar, Jimi Hendrix rug. to name but a few.

The merchandise store on the ground floor of our restaurant sells Hard Rock Cafe collectables, classic T-shirts, teddy bears, souvenir glasses and a collection of amazing and beautiful pins - many of them designed based on local Irish landmark buildings. Gifts like these cannot be bought anywhere else in the world!

Irish people are world famous for being friendly & relaxed and all Staff at Hard Rock Dublin thrive on this fame - providing all customers with the best of service. Our Cafe has a very relaxed & friendly feel to the place and we have the most up to date & cutting edge music and videos, we advise all visitors to kick-back and enjoy what we are so proud to offer. Keep an eye on our event calendar for parties thrown in the restaurant throughout the year!

CONTACT INFORMATIONtelephone: +353-1-671-7777Fax: +353-1-671-7711e: [email protected]

With a total of 164 venues in 52 countries, including 132 cafes and 13 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands.

harD roCk Cafe

private bar and tote service with a range of cocktail, buffet and dining menus starting from as little as €25 per person (including admission and race card) and the opportunity to decorate the suite for family celebrations, product launches or indeed any special occasion.

Booking is easy: For reservation enquiries call 1890 269 969 or book online at www.igb.ie.

For specific enquiries on Shelbourne Park call Patrick Flynn on 087 9577064 or check out www.igb.ie/shelbournepark .

It really is a great value night out with a difference so whether it’s for business or pleasure make it “your business” to go greyhound racing at Shelbourne Park this summer where a warm welcome and a night to remember awaits!!

Shelboune Park is situated in South Lotts Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4

Taxi News


The global conference market is worth up to €40 billion per year and eight hundred and seventy international association conferences take place in Europe annually. Failte Ireland supported conferences brought in forty

thousand delegates and €52 million revenue in the first half of 2009 and encouragingly a Failte Ireland survey recorded high levels of satisfaction from overseas delegates with 86% of respondents expressing themselves to be satisfied or extremely satisfied with Ireland as a conference destination.

Despite the recession this is an area that continues to be a high yield and growing market and the opening of the much anticipated Convention Centre Dublin shortly will provide a much welcome boost to the beleaguered hotel and tourism sectors in the capital.

Aiden Murphy of Horwath Bastow Charleton explains: “The introduction of the Convention Centre Dublin in 2010 is eagerly anticipated and expected to create up to €50 million per annum for the economy. Some estimates suggest that revenue from the sector may double to €1 billion by 2012. By introducing deductibility on VAT on conference related accommodation expenses, Ireland is becoming a more attractive conference destination. Business tourism is a high yielding sector and represents a major opportunity in potential growth.”

As part of a unique Public Private Partnership with The Office of Public Works, The Convention Centre Dublin will provide Ireland with its first world-class, purpose-built convention centre and enable Ireland to compete in the lucrative international convention circuit. “A vigorous, focused marketing has ensured a strong base of international bookings and inquiries for years to come,” said Dermod Dwyer, Chairman of the Convention Centre Dublin. “Market feedback underscores that there is a large as yet untapped market for Dublin. With the ongoing support from our numerous partners we’ll continue to stay focused on capturing more much needed business for Dublin and Ireland.

With an investment of €380 million, this state-of-the-art venue is already starting to pay off and it has confirmed 90 major events, which will help boost the local economy by €103m. Included among the variety of high caliber events it has attracted is the International Bar Association Annual Conference, The international Conference on Emergency Medicine and the International Statistical Institute Conference among others.

The Convention Centre Dublin which is due to open shortly will provide a major boost for tourism in Dublin and a consequent

Developed by Treasury Holdings, the Convention Centre Dublin is situated in Spencer dock on the banks of the River Liffey and has earned numerous plaudits for its impressive design features and the fact that it is the first carbon neutral international convention centre and the net impact of the building’s construction on the environment is zero. This iconic landmark can be considered carbon neutral due to the use of low carbon cement throughout the building and through offsetting all unavoidable carbon emissions by investing in carbon credits in accordance with the Voluntary Carbon Standards (VCS). Validation and verification of the venue was conducted by UN accredited auditors SGS.

“Even during the design phase, we placed a huge importance on sustainability as we had an opportunity to do our part in acting responsibly towards the environment,” said Nick Waight, Chief Executive Officer. “Our strong commitment to sustainability has given us a unique advantage over other major international convention centres and we will be promoting this aspect as we market the venue to our international clients. In addition, Ireland is also earning a good reputation in environmental sustainability, which will help us to boost Ireland’s share of business tourists as organisations seek to become more eco-aware.”

Designed by Pritzker award-winning Irish architect Kevin Roche, the venue is configured to accommodate conferences from eight to eight thousand participants in twenty-two purpose-built meeting rooms. The centre includes a two thousand seat auditorium, four thousand five hundred square metres of exhibition space and banqueting facilities for up to three thousand guests.

Offering the latest technology, this sophisticated venue will include advanced audio visual equipment and lighting systems as well as Wi-Fi enabled halls and meeting rooms. When fully operational, the Convention Centre Dublin will provide employment for 250 people.

The new convention centre has also been welcomed by the President of the Irish taxi federation who visited the facility recently. “It’s a wonderful, world-class venue and a major addition to Dublin’s commercial infrastructure,” he said. I am confident that this state-of-the-art facility will be of considerable benefit to Dublin’s tourism sector and that taxi drivers will benefit accordingly.”

Convention Centre DuBlin

Taxi News


Paul Poole passed away on Saturday 20 February 2010. I had visited him on the Thursday before his death and I knew when I was leaving him that I would never see

him alive again. I had

known Paul for the last 40 years and when I was first elected to Shamrock Cabs Paul was on the committee with me. He also served some time on the Federation committee.

Paul came from a republican background and spent his early days living in Marlborough Street where he was well known. He was in the taxi business since his twenties and was always very popular with all the other taxi drivers. Paul was living in Clontarf when his father and mother moved to St. Ann’s Court, Raheny which pleased him no end. I know that Paul was always a very good son to his parents and when his father passed away he could always be found looking after his mother up to the time she passed away.

Paul as we all well know was fond of a jar and loved sitting in the pub chatting about the old days and remembering all the old taxi drivers from years ago. Bobby Byrne, Paddy Greenhalgh, Gerry Murray and I always enjoyed a jar with Paul and I remember we went to London for a weekend and we met Paul’s family in a local club and his two sisters were both lovely ladies and one could tell how fond of Paul they were and how much they enjoyed seeing him.

Back home Paul always told us he was a drummer in a local band as a boy and one night in the Donaghmeade Inn, we asked the band to get him up on the drums and as he got behind the drums he froze. To this day we do not know if he could play the drums or he just got stage fright. Paul’s favourite song was Little Old Wine Drinker Me although he never sang it very well.

I for one will never forget my very good friend of 40 years. I was in Dublin when Paul passed away but regretfully on holidays for his funeral but Doreen has told me that he got a good turn out of the older taxi drivers and I know Paul would have loved that.

Farewell my friend, you may be gone but will never be forgotten.

John Ussher .

oBituariesPaul Poole (Pooler)

PaDDy wall r.i.P.

It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Paddy Wall.

I had worked with Paddy for over 40 years and we had the odd drink together over the years.

Paddy passed away over the May bank holiday weekend. He had been unwell for a short period before. Paddy had been a member of the Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation for over 40 years and had lots of friends in the business that will miss him.

Paddy’s son drives a taxi and we send him and all the family our condolences.

May he rest in peace. John Ussher.

QUIZ TIMe ANswers:

MUSIC qUIZ ANSWERSDel ShannonIsle of ManBusterJim ReevesTommy SteeleAll the WayBill Withers Billy Furyperry ComoBilly MayThe CadetsWalking the Streets in the Rain

FILM qUIZ ANSWERSBarry FitzgeraldBurried in the same cemetery L.A.pilettiChimney SweepDid on the same dayFrenzySchindlers List LouisiannaRoberto Benigni (Life is Beautiful)John Derek Bo DerekFrancis McDermotBrian Cox

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