from Kenya
WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Ireland
MOTORISTS WARNED AS KENYAN CABBIES DECLARE NATIONWIDE STRIKE
IRISH APPS URGE REFORM OF ‘VAGUE’ DRIVER TEST TO TACKLE SHORTAGE
On 9 July, taxi drivers announced a nationwide strike to force the government, specifically Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, to address their concerns. The drivers claim the government has failed to address their concerns despite numerous petitions and pleas to help them improve the industry. “There shall be a nationwide strike on Wednesday, July 12, involving everyone in the transport industry including taxi drivers, boda boda operators, matatus and other affiliate transport service providers. “Do not try to put your car on the road. We are warning you not to try to test the waters on the day of the strike. We will take to the streets and demonstrate up until when our demands shall be met by the government,” the leader stated. Among the issues cabbies want addressing are the cost of fuel, pay rates from digital companies, traffic police intimidation and insecurity witin the sector. All taxi drivers and motorists were thus warned to keep their cars off the road to avoid unpleasant encounters during the industrial strike. The taxi drivers were clear on their intention, indicating that they will ensure that all transport systems in the country are paralysed until their demands are met. On the cost of fuel, the taxi drivers claimed that the rates had been rising steadily in recent months putting a significant financial strain on their businesses. In addition, the taxi drivers claimed that some digital companies had squeezed their profits despite skyrocketing inflation rate. The drivers association also blamed traffic police officers who they claimed targeted them for parking fines, even when they were not breaking any laws.
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Three of the largest taxi hailing apps in Ireland have called on the Government to reform the taxi driver test to help address taxi driver supply shortages within the sector. Free Now, Bolt and Uber have said the current criteria for obtaining a SPSV (small public service vehicle) licence
knowledge.
In a paper submitted to the Department of Transport, Free Now said the test’s questions are “vague by design and hard to adequately study for”. “We have heard from drivers that new entrants often feel the test is formulated in a way that tries to “catch people out” rather than focus on relevant knowledge necessary to undertake taxi services to the highest standard”, it said. Bolt and Uber echoed the calls. They said change could help to address taxi driver shortages. Kieran Harte, general manager for Uber Ireland, which has recently lobbied the department on loosening of taxi regulations, said the shortage of taxis “is not going away”. “The current requirement for drivers to spend weeks memorising all streets and local amenities is impractical and outdated with the availability of GPS maps that provide door-to-door directions in real time.” Aisling Dunne, head of public policy for Bolt Ireland, said: “Given the technological advancements in recent years with satellite navigation and app-based maps, this difficult test seems unnecessary and misplaced, especially for drivers who do pre-booked work.” The 90-question SPSV Driver Entry Test must be passed by all drivers to demonstrate their understanding of the industry and the county where they will be operating.
AUGUST 2023 PHTM
relies far too much on geographical
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