This article is from page 17 of the 2011-06-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
THE taxi industry in Clare is “dying”, a well-known taxi driver has warned.
Martin White, of Ennis-based AAA Taxis and the Irish Taxi Driver’s Federation, said the high number of taxis in Clare allied to a reduced level of business is putting serious pressure on the industry.
He explained that in many cases earnings are down “60 to 70 per cent” while drivers often earn as little as € 30 for a typical 10-hour shift.
He said, “Fridays and Saturdays are good days but you can forget about it for the rest of the week. Most days we’re just sitting here on the rank looking out at the river.”
He explained that since regulation was introduced to the industry in 2000, the number of taxis operating in Clare has risen from 20 to 230.
“It’s like everywhere. Everyone is suffering. 90 per cent of drivers are self employed. They don’t get any hand outs, no medical cards. It’s hard to make a living out of it at the moment, hard for fellas that have to pay a mortgage…This is a dying trade.”
Mr White said that recent revelations of alleged bad practices in the taxi industry and at a National Car Test (NCT) centre in Dublin were not reflective of the vast majority of drivers.
He said incidents highlighted in RTE’s Prime Time expose “were not happening in Ennis” and that taxis undergo “rigorous tests” every year at the local NCT centre.
He added, “Most of the taxi drivers in Ennis are honest, hardworking guys, trying to make a living but its a dying trade.”
Mr White said the industry would be aided by a “buy back scheme” that would allow drivers to claim back the cost of a taxi license when they finish driving and by the presence in every county of an enforcement officer. “You’d have no nonsense in the industry and no cowboys,” he said.
The taxi industry is due to be discussed at today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) has submitted a motion seeking support from councillors to contact the Minister for Transport regarding the operation of the NCT and the regulation of taxis.