SERVICES - National review of taxi, hackney and limousine services
Overview
Background & policy context:
The 2003 Taxi Regulation Act in Ireland transferred a range of regulatory functions from the Department of Transport, local authorities and the Gardaí (Irish police) to the newly created Commission for Taxi Regulation. This is an independent public body with the principal function of developing and maintaining a regulatory framework for the control and operation of taxis, hackney cabs and limousines (collectively known in Ireland as SPSVs - Small Public Service Vehicles) and their drivers, to ensure a quality consumer-oriented service for users. The Commission is overseen by a Commissioner, known as the Taxi Regulator, who is appointed by the Government.
This study aimed to provide the Commission with a baseline of information to feed into its Strategic Plan for the period 2005-2009. It is complementary to a separate study on vehicle standards in the SPSV sector in Ireland.
Objectives:
The overall objectives of the study were to assess the extent and quality of taxi services in the Irish Republic and to make recommendations that would inform the development of a quality, consumer-oriented licensing system for SPSVs and their drivers.
Specific objectives included research into the following:
- consumers' views on service quality;
- measures to improve quality (of vehicles, drivers and overall service delivery);
- how to cater for disabled taxi users (in terms of vehicle design and market operation);
- the need to keep separate licensing systems for taxis (which can ply for hire in the streets or wait for customers in ranks) and hackneys/limousines (both of which need to be booked in advance);
- the need to retain the concept of taximeter areas;
- the advantages and disadvantages of a common national fare structure and the potential to simplify the fare structure;
- the case for extending fare control to hackneys;
- the criteria and process for reviewing fare levels and responding to requests from operators to be allowed to increase fares;
- the establishment of an efficient and effective complaints procedure and quality assurance; and
- the potential to streamline licensing systems faced by taxi owners.
Methodology:
The methodology involved:
- examining the nature and structure of the SPSV market in Ireland;
- reviewing the supply and demand of SPSVs in the two largest cities (Dublin and Cork) and two medium-sized towns (Sligo and Clonmel);
- examining the current regulatory framework and its impact on the market;
- assessing the level and adequacy of services for disabled people;
- mapping out existing procedures with respect to licensing (for vehicles and drivers) and examining the potential for changes;
- examining the level of competition and income profiles; and
- drawing on experience in other countries.
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