IN THE NEWS
STORMONT COMMITTEE TOLD NORTHERN IRELAND TAXI NUMBERS MORE THAN HALVED SINCE 2014
The number of active taxi licences in Northern Ireland has more than halved since 2014, prompting calls for a review of taxi regulations. Legislative Assembly members were told the industry is losing 1,200 drivers a year on average, and only bringing in about 200. With the country hosting big events such as Euro 2028 and the Open in 2025, there are fears there won’t be nearly enough taxis to deal with the influx of tourists. Stormont’s Infrastructure Com- mittee received a stark briefing on the state of the industry from representatives on 10 April. MLAs heard that while demand for taxis is increasing post-Covid, the number of licences and drivers on the road is decreasing rapidly.
Stephen Anton, of Fonacab and of the Licensed Taxi Operators Asso- ciation, said there were almost 16,000 active taxi licences across Northern Ireland in 2014, but by the end of 2023 this figure had fallen to around 7,500. But he warned this isn’t necessarily the number of active drivers and there are currently around 5,000 taxi drivers on the road any given week. He said the void is being filled, to a degree, by “illegal” taxis. He said there needs to be around 7,500 drivers weekly on the road to cope with current demand and “significantly” more going forward to handle growing tourism. Mr Anton explained that, prior to rule changes in 2014, prospective drivers needed three years’ driving
experience, a medical and an Access NI and safety check. Now they also require a theory and practical test. He said the majority of taxi drivers currently on the road are operating under the “grandfather rules” and the current theory test is “not fit for purpose”. Mr Anton said red tape and theory test issues mean it could take over six months to obtain a licence. He said there needs to be more of an incentive for drivers to apply. Mr Anton said: “We would ask whatever [the DfI] does going forward, they factor in the visitor economy.” He added that there needs to be an overarching review of the Taxis Act, a “fresh approach” to taxi driver licensing, and support to get more WAV taxis on the road.
YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR TAXI DRIVE
VERS LICENCE BRCUSTOM DOOR SIGNS ACKETS
TAXI ACCESSORIES 15% OFF
PHTM15 irst order, use code:
your f 14 shop
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
mogo.co y online today
g
o.uk MAY 2024 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
