from Ireland
WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Italy
CASH ONLY IRISH CABBIE FACING LOSS OF LICENCE URGED TO OPEN ACCOUNT
A taxi driver who has refused to accept card payments in his cab is facing the potential loss of his licence. William Wyse, a veteran taxi driver with 42 years of experience, appeared in Cork District Court on 13 September, to appeal a decision to revoke his licence. The court heard that Mr. Wyse has been issued fixed penalty notices in response to complaints of not accepting card payments which the state argues is a violation of regulations requiring taxi drivers to accept card payments. However, Judge Mary Dorgan questioned the proportionality of revoking the driver’s
licence,
effectively taking away his livelihood. Mr. Wyse refuses to have a bank account, making it impossible for him to process card payments. He has a sign in his taxi indicating that he only accepts cash and has informed all passengers of this policy. Judge Dorgan acknowledged that while anyone can choose not to have a bank account, taxi drivers are required to accept card payments. She suggested that the rationale behind this regulation is to ensure that passengers can safely get home, even if they have run out of cash. The judge urged the State to be “proportionate” in its response to Mr. Wyse and suggested that the matter could potentially be resolved without revoking his licence. She also encouraged Mr. Wyse to open a bank account to comply with the regulations. Garda Conor McDermot stated that authorities have made numerous attempts to get Mr. Wyse to comply. Mr. Wyse defended his decision not to have a bank account, citing the financial crash of 2010 as a contributing factor. He also argued that there is discrimination against taxis, as some other modes of public transport do not require card payments. At one stage during the hearing, he said that if he won the Lotto, the millions would have to go into his wife’s bank account. To laughter in court, Judge Dorgan said that had gone on the record. The judge adjourned the appeal until November 28 to allow the State to submit further information and consider a potential resolution.
72
CABBIE FINED €2,700 FOR REFUSING BLIND COUPLE & GUIDE DOG IN ROME
Two Rome taxi drivers have been fined for offences committed against passengers. One driver was fined €2,700 for refusing to take a blind couple and their guide dog, while the other was fined €3,000 for overcharging a group of Chinese tourists. The incident involving the blind couple occurred at Fiumicino airport, where the cabbie refused to transport the couple due to their guide dog. Local police and airport staff intervened to help the couple find another taxi and issued a fine to the driver. The overcharging incident also took place near Fiumicino airport, where a cabbie charged a group of Chinese tourists three times the agreed-upon fare. Police stopped the driver near the Colosseum and issued a fine.
from India
KERALA MANDATES RESTROOMS FOR TOURIST TAXI DRIVERS IN HOTELS
In a significant move to improve working conditions for tourist taxi drivers in Kerala, the State government has made it mandatory for classified hotels and tourist accommodation units to provide restrooms and other basic facilities to cabbies. The decision, made after extensive discussions with drivers’ unions and other stakeholders, aims to recog- nise the crucial role played by cabbies in the tourism industry. By ensuring access to clean and comfortable restrooms, the government hopes to create a more supportive environment for these essential workers. The Government Order states that all hotels and tourism accommodation units in Kerala must provide ample restroom facilities for taxi drivers transporting domestic and international tourists. Additionally, the Tourism department plans to issue special identity cards to tourist taxi drivers and conduct awareness sessions to enhance their professional skills and knowledge.
OCTOBER 2024 PHTM
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