Dempsey to meet unions on taxi reform

TAXI DRIVERS’ unions are to meet Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey today, following yesterday’s publication of a key consultants’ report which rejected their demands for reform.

The Economic Review of the Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) industry carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants, rejected demands for a moratorium on new licences, and a new system of regulation for the industry.

Launching the Goodbody report yesterday the Taxi Regulator Kathleen Doyle said it showed there is no doubt that the drivers, “are operating in a more competitive market than ever”.

But she added there has been a drop in new licence applications every month for the last nine months “which is perhaps an indicator of the market finding its natural equilibrium”.

In relation to working hours, the report found that overall, drivers were working longer hours than in 2005, with an average 52-hour week. Estimated earnings varied considerably, but “best analysis” suggested that average earnings have dropped, “although not dramatically”.

In its section on recommendations, the report found the current regulatory structure was the most appropriate and successful model and should be continued.

It recommended further improvement of standards should be pursued with fast tracking of planned reforms considered.

It said quality and innovative service should be rewarded and greater provision for people with disabilities should be made..

In her commentary on the findings Ms Doyle also drew attention to the report’s assertion that earnings in the taxi industry have not collapsed, and while drivers have to work harder to meet their income expectations, there is evidence that demand still exceeds supply at peak times.

The publication of the report coincided with a sixth demonstration by the campaign group Taxi Drivers for Change, which immediately called for Ms Doyle to resign.

Drivers for Change said it was particularly incensed with the report’s contention that there was no economic justification for a moratorium on the issuing of new licences, which they described as “patently false”.

The campaign group – which is not a union and has not been invited to this afternoon’s meeting – said it would be going ahead with plans to protest in the Trim, Co Meath, constituency base of the Minister on Wednesday next.

Siptu branch organiser Jerry Brennan said he would be attending the meeting with Mr Dempsey at which representatives of the National Taxi Drivers’ Union and The Irish Taxi Drivers Federation have been invited.

However, Mr Brennan said the recommendation not to grant a moratorium on new licences was not a surprise.

“It concurs with Transport Minister Noel Dempsey’s letter to me on October 6th last year, in which he stated that he ‘would not contemplate a moratorium’ on more taxi plates being issued”, Mr Brennan said.

Mr Brennan said a key issue for his members was the right to appeal decisions of the regulator which made no sense.

“We suspended the campaign this week in the light of the impending report in the hope it would highlight abuses and propose measures to deal with them.

“Unfortunately it failed to do so. It seems to feel the carefree distribution of licences is perfectly acceptable and the report ignores the lack of an appeals process against decisions of the Taxi Regulator.”

He said the report also failed to address the methods of issuing licences and “the health and safety problems arising from double jobbing and a lax licensing system for divers and the travelling public alike”.

Siptu would resume its campaign for drivers’ rights over the coming days and will embark on “an appropriate series of protests after prior consultation with our colleagues in the other taxi organisations”, he said.