Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
134. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Government's plans to encourage more taxi drivers to work nights in Dublin city centre, following concerns over their safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/24]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
The NTA conducted taxi driver research nationally in September/October 2022. The survey shows that of those who state they don’t currently work nights (12pm - 05:59), just over four in five have ever worked nights. Of those who have stopped working nights, 48% cite the reason being personal safety and 40% cite customer behaviour and/or extra cleaning costs.
The National Maximum Taxi Fare which increased from 1 September 2022, and coincided with the survey, included an average fare increase of 12%, with more weighting towards premium times (20:00 – 08:00) to encourage more operators to work at peak time to meet demand.
The NTA carried out a similar survey recently, and those results will be published in the coming months.
Section 73(5) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that I may consult with, or seek the advice of, the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles on any matter arising in relation to their functions with respect to small public service vehicles and their drivers. I have recently written to the Advisory Committee to request its consideration of how taxi availability can be assessed, and to make recommendations on how relevant data can be collected.
