Fall in demand for taxis 'no basis for capping' -- Doyle

by **Admin** Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:28 am

Saturday March 14 2009

Taxi regulator Kathleen Doyle
yesterday admitted demand for taxis "might not hold up to the same
extent" in 2009, but repeated her "welcome" for a recent report that
found no basis for capping taxi numbers. The report has been
severely criticised by campaign group Taxi Drivers for Change, who have
staged six separate demonstrations calling for a cap on taxi licence
numbers to prevent a collapse in drivers' earnings. Publishing
the Goodbody report earlier this week, Ms Doyle pointed to a "large
increase in demand for cabs" as one of the feature's that underlined
the taxi industry's robustness. In an interview with the Irish Independent,
she yesterday acknowledged that growth "may change" in the "economic
downturn". "Growth may not hold up to the same extent, but I would
certainly be hopeful that it would hold up to a very good level," she
added. The report found that while drivers were now working longer
hours for less money there was no collapse in earnings. CollapseMs

Doyle said that while she "appreciated" that things have "gotten
tougher for everyone" since the start of 2009, she "didn't have any
data" to justify claims of an earnings collapse. She also stressed that
introducing a cap on taxi licences was a matter for the Transport
Minister Noel Dempsey. Over the coming months, Ms Doyle will consult
with industry stakeholders on the report. Mr Dempsey will then make a
decision on whether actions like a cap on licences are necessary.As the
market for taxis grows increasingly competitive, a Dublin company has
begun offering a 20pc discount on metered fares while a Galway company
is offering discounts to customers with special cards. Ms Doyle said her
office "promotes competition". Last week's economic review of the taxi
industry was the first one undertaken since 2005.