Around 200 public hire taxi drivers have taken part in a protest in Belfast over a major change to how taxi services operate, due to come into force in September.
The protest was planned by the city’s black cab drivers in response to new legislation passed by the Department of Environment which will see the introduction of a single-tier taxi licensing system.
The biggest change to come into effect under the new system is that private-hire cabs will no longer have to be pre-booked and will be able to pick passengers up of the street.
The change, which was initially due to come into force in April but was subsequently delayed to allow the taxi industry to prepare for the move, has proved hugely controversial in the taxi trade.
Public Hire Protest
The most recent protest, which took place earlier this month, is the second one staged by disgruntled public hire taxi drivers since the decision was announced.
In a statement, Belfast public hire cab drivers said they believed the new one-tier system and deregulation of taxi meters had “no benefit to Belfast public hire or the general public”.
Public hire driver, William Black, commented: “We’ve not been properly consulted and now our livelihoods are at stake.
“We are not against change but it cannot be at the cost of the demise of Belfast public hire taxis – we are asking for an urgent meeting with the environment committee and the Minister.”
Government
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has claimed the change will provide the public with more choice.
“The Taxi Act is not a unilateral DoE action. It is the will of the Assembly, passed in 2008, that taxi law and practice be reformed and upgraded to deal with illegal operators, improve business opportunities for all drivers and ensure the best service for customers and an increasing number of tourists.
“I remain fully committed to providing a safe, fair and fit-for-purpose taxi industry in Northern Ireland. Single-tier licensing is a significant step which will help achieve this goal.”
Support for Planned Changes
Private hire company owner, William McCausland from Fiona Cab, supports the changes. He said: “If there’s a cab there and it’s licensed and the customer wants that cab, let us not argue with common sense.
“It’s hard to argue that he must phone a depot and the depot has to contact the driver and then go and get him.”
Maximum Fare Structure
The department of environment has also said it will introduce a maximum fare structure for all taxis operating in Northern Ireland in 2014. This will include the requirement that all taxis must have an approved taxi meter and receipt machine installed.