Taxi drivers concerned at 'over-regulation' in Letterkenny
By Eamonn McFadden
Letterkenny Taxi Driver’s Association held a meeting with the local Town Councillor’s yesterday to discuss what they see as ‘over- regulation’ in the taxi sector.
Group spokesman Hugh McFadden outlined their concerns which also have been highlighted nationally this week.
They said they were seeking the support of the local authority to lobby against what they see as a tightening of regulation that could force a number of taxi operators out of work.
He said they’re concerned at: increased car testing, even when a vehicle had passed the NCT; increased taxi licence fees; and the move to only allow seven seater cars to carry five passengers.
On Tuesday, Letterkenny Taxi drivers held a protest through the town. Mr McFadden said this was an action they hope not to have to take again in the future.
“We need you to lobby every person you can because we need help and we need it now. We do to want to go down that road we did yesterday, we want work with you,” he told the Town Council members.
One of the big issue locally he added, was taxis parking at the Bus Eireann depot, which was affecting the rank near Mr Chippy.
Councillor Ciaran Brogan said it was important the two groups worked together but added many of the points raised were outside the remit of the local authority.
He said he would support a letter being sent to the Taxi Regulator outlining the concerns mentioned.
Cllr Dessie Larkin said he agreed the sector was ‘over-regulated’. He suggested they lobby for a Donegal Taxi Regulator as “one glove doesn’t fit all” when it came to national regulation policy.
He said they would also like to work with the taxi drivers but added he would like to see them stick to a policy of only picking passengers up in designated ranks in the town.
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Weather for Donegal
Monday 21 May 2012
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