A NEW company which intends to operate a passenger pick-up and drop-off service to Dublin airport and around the city by motorcycle would be operating illegally, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has said.
The company, Airbike, is also being investigated by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which says it has not sought a permit to operate at the airport.
However, Airbike director Greg Carley said the Minister was “misinformed” and the company would begin operating its service, which would be an alternative to hiring a taxi, next month.
Intending passengers will be able to book a motorcycle online or by phone, as with a taxi, and will travel as a pillion passenger behind an experienced driver, the company says.
Passengers will be provided with a helmet, over-jacket, gloves, and weatherproof clothing. Passengers wearing skirts are to be supplied with a purpose-designed apron covering them from waist to feet.
Motorcycles cannot operate as taxis because they are not described in the 2003 Taxi Regulation Act.
A spokeswoman for Mr Dempsey said he was prepared to consider legislation to cover motorcycle taxis, but the service could not operate legally at present.
“The Minister has said that he will ask the Road Safety Authority to advise him on whether this would be an appropriate public service, but at the moment it can’t legally operate because it is unlicensed,” she said.
Mr Carley said that because motorcycles are not included in the regulations, the company does not require licences. “We can’t qualify as a taxi and we aren’t calling ourselves a taxi service. We spoke to the Taxi Regulator’s office in May and they confirmed that we are outside the remit of the Taxi Regulator. However, we have got the insurance to carry passengers for reward.”
Mr Carley said: “The Minister is not correct in what he is saying.”
Airbike will begin operating from August 4th, charging a €25 call-out fee and €2 per km.
